Back in July 29-30, 2019, the UP Libraries community came together for a milestone event, the very first UP Libraries Conference, held at the David M. Consunji Theater in the Institute of Civil Engineering, UP Diliman. With the theme Setting the Knowledge Trail Ablaze: Reshaping the Future of UP Libraries, the event gathered librarians and administrators from across the UP System to reflect on past achievements, assess current performance, and chart strategic directions moving forward. The two-day conference and planning workshop, graced by then-UP President Danilo L. Concepcion and other distinguished guests, served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy harmonization, anchored in the goal of meeting the evolving information needs of the UP community.
Six years since the last conference, the university has experienced a turbulent period which ushered in a movement driven by solutions, evidence, and best practices. As the conference is set to return this year, the theme Transformative Education Through Smart and Innovative Libraries, underpins the critical role of libraries in designing impactful programs which transcends any perceived limit in support of higher education. Dalub-Aklat: The 2025 UP Librarians Conference continues to reaffirm and acknowledge that each UP librarian and staff is an expert in their own right, unquestionably worthy of upholding honor, excellence, and service.
Dalub-aklat, a term rooted on two Filipino words, dalubhasa and aklat, superficially describes a person equipped with the necessary competencies to efficiently manage libraries and its wide array of functions. Coined by renowned librarian, historian, and scholar, Dr. Isagani R. Medina, Dalub-aklat aptly encapsulates the resiliency and ingenuity of Filipino librarians in their pursuit of excellence through the timely delivery of information resources and programs for the community whom they serve.
This year’s conference theme spotlights the role of UP Libraries in driving transformative education through the advancement of academic integrity, public service, equity, and accessibility, aligned with the core values of honor, excellence, and service.
The conference explores how smart and dynamic libraries champion critical thinking, professional development, and social responsibility. It calls on UP librarians to embrace this change by reimagining libraries as inclusive learning environments powered by innovation, collaboration, and expertise and grounded in meaningful learning experiences that inspire action, ignite purpose, and build empowered communities.
About the Logo
The unfolded pages of the book represent the unrestrained potential of the UP System’s eight (8) Constituent University Libraries and one (1) autonomous unit in addressing the challenges of the 21st Century.
Placed at the middle of the book is a rendition of Guillermo Tolentino’s Oblation, an epitome of self-sacrifice in the name of nation building. Akin to a book spine, it binds and anchors each university library on the ideals of Honor, Excellence, and Service.
Hues of the color blue signifies the successful adoption of technology within the libraries while the color maroon manifests the university’s visual identity.