De Joya, Joanne Marie

Dela Cruz, Alenna

Dumama, Niesha
4FPH

LIBRARY TOUR REFLECTION PAPER

The sections that we liked the most are the Filipiniana section, Heritage
section and also the printing press at the ground floor. We liked the Filipiniana
section since all of the books made locally can be found there and also the
yearbook. It also caught our attention since some of the books are really old and can
be a good reference material in the future. We were really amazed how they made
books, letters, and news using the printing press. Patience and accuracy are needed
in using the printing press. It was also the stepping stone on how they can share
informations to others with ease. But the section that captured us the most is the
heritage section since we saw some of the oldest book in the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th,
20th century. And these books are maintained with temperature ranging from 20℃ to
21℃ and also with a specific humidity. We were also told that some of the old books
are available online and we can see the full text since it is now national treasure and
a public property.
The library tour helps us enhanced our knowledge about the philippine history
through providing us interesting information about the past especially about the
university like we just recently knew that the library was established first than the
actual university. It also satisfied our curiosity especially when we saw some
information and academic grades of Dr. Jose Rizal in the archive section. We
realized that the philippine history is not just to reminisce and remember the past but
also to learn from it and so that we will aware of some things that we might need to
improve.
We realized that even in the older times, our ancestors loved writing books
and journals that helped the next generations to understand better what happened
during their times and also to continue and update their writings. The lessons we
have learned in our subject suddenly became a physical picture in our minds
because we have seen it personally. The books made even before printing press
was invented were there but of course we can’t touch it and lay it down our hands
literally but at least the thoughts in our minds were made real. One example of this is
the first published book in the post Printing Press invention era was Doctrina
Christiana. It wasn’t the original book but it was something that can make it
represent.
The chief librarian of the Filipiniana section told us that there are fewer
pharmacy related books and references compared to other fields that is why they are
encouraging pharmacy students to write books so that we can also help the future
generations in having good and many pharmacy related references. It was a good
reference when it comes in knowing the history of our program throughout in the
University.