Historical Development
HISTORY OF THE QSU KNOWLEDGE CENTER
The University Library started as a small reading room adjacent to the faculty room at the ground floor of the Administration Building of the former Northern Nueva Vizcaya National Agricultural School with few collections most of which are high school textbooks, few copies of general references and fiction books. When the school offered Post-Secondary courses, it was transferred to the second floor of the Administration building consisting of two classrooms to provide better atmosphere with tables and chairs, more shelves and more books. When QNAS was converted into a state college, degree courses such as Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Home Technology, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Bachelor of Agricultural Technology were offered. This development necessitated the acquisition of additional books through purchase and donations from other agencies to cater to the varied needs and demands of library users. In response to the requests of various stakeholders, the College offered additional prebaccalaureate and baccalaureate courses as well as advance education degrees which in turn, caused an increasing enrolment trend and the need of acquiring additional library collection. The reading area has to be decongested, thus the establishment of an extension library for the Laboratory High School at the High School Building. The Main Library was also transferred to the second floor of the Julian A. Alvarez Hall to accommodate more College and graduate students as well as faculty members and other researchers. The librarian then was Miss Virginia Gapuz, now Mrs. Virginia G. Gatchalian. In 1993, she decided to resign to be with her husband. The management of the library was given to Mrs. Editha C. Cailin, her assistant in the library until such time that a licensed librarian is needed for accreditation. In 2005, Mrs. Melba L. Baldonado was hired vice Mrs. Virginia G. Gatchalian.
Because of the increasing student population, a new library building was constructed in 2010 and made operational in April 2012. The arrival of 6 tons of Book donations from Ohio State University Foundation containing 10,000 volumes of books, journals, CDs and VHS tapes likewise necessitated the establishment of special libraries for the Health Sciences and Agriculture courses at the second and first floors of the Animal Science Building respectively. In 2012-2015, each college put up their own reading centres where their students’ research manuscripts and journals and other reading materials needed by the students and faculty were housed. Nevertheless, to have a centralized library, a new state-of-the-art, two-storey building was built by the administration of Dr. Samuel O. Benigno. This is where the 27,000 volumes of print and non-print materials were kept. It was inaugurated last June 6, 2017. From then on, the administration continuously supporting the improvement of the library. Due to the changing role of a library in the twenty first century, the term “learning commons” was introduced. Libraries are now reinventing themselves as content becomes more accessible online and their role becomes less about housing books and more about connecting learners and constructing knowledge; a place where collaboration is encouraged, communication and sharing is allowed. Traditional libraries often characterized as places of silent and independent study but today, the spaces have been transformed into centres of active learning. Quirino State University Library changed its name to Knowledge Center as suggested by the President instead of the Learning Resource Center as suggested by the AREA VII LIBRARY Page4 Presiding Chair during the 18th (Second Quarter) Regular Meeting of the Board of Regents of Quirino State University on June 21, 2017. Executive Lounge, 4/F Higher Education UPDiliman, Quezon City. So the QSU Library is now called QSU Knowledge Center