Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center

Amidst the bustling city of Manila, the Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center stands as a beacon of knowledge. This isn’t just any library. It’s one of the largest in Southeast Asia and a vital part of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center has a rich history, intertwined with the university itself. Originally sharing space with the Philippine Normal School in 1933, the library’s journey reflects PUP’s nomadic past. It wasn’t until after World War II, in 1947, that the Philippine Congress allocated funds for a dedicated library building for what was then the Philippine School of Commerce. The initial collection? A mere twelve volumes. The Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center’s growth has been remarkable. The library expanded throughout the 1960s and 70s, adding graduate studies resources and receiving donations, including a significant contribution from the Asia Foundation in 1973. The library adapted to the changing times, centralizing its collection and adopting an open-shelf system. A new library building, the Bagong Lipunan Library, was inaugurated in 1977. The 1980s brought further transformation. The library became the Learning Resource Center and expanded its services. Computerization was on the horizon, even as the library continued to grow its physical collection. A four-story edifice, the current Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center, opened its doors in 1991. The library continued to evolve, embracing technology with the launch of its in-house Online Public Access Catalog in 1998. The library was renamed the Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center in 1999, honoring the former senator. Today, the Ninoy Aquino Learning Resource Center offers a vast array of services. From its Readers Services, encompassing reference materials, periodicals, and special collections, to its Technical Services, ensuring the acquisition and organization of resources, the library strives to meet the needs of the PUP community. It even houses a museum and archival materials, preserving the university’s history. It is a testament to the power of education and the importance of preserving knowledge.