SU Library gears up for reopening on April 28
The Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman University Library is set to reopen its doors to students, faculty, and staff on April 28, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., marking a significant milestone in its transformation into a 21st-century learning hub.
To commemorate the occasion, a Thanksgiving ceremony led by the Silliman University Church Ministry will be held on the library’s first floor at 8:30 a.m. The event celebrates the library’s renewed commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community learning.
In the initial phase of reopening, access will be limited to currently enrolled students and active SU faculty and staff. All users must present their University ID upon entry and log in at the kiosks by entering their ID number (for students) or TIN (for employees).
Library Transformation
The library has undergone a substantial transformation to better serve today’s learners. The ground floor, when completed, will feature three innovative spaces: the STEM Digital Library, the Allied Health Transformative Lab, and the Immersive Technology and Exhibition Lab. The second floor houses the main book collection, while the third floor has been reimagined as an open collaborative area for group work, study sessions, and academic interaction.
According to SU Librarian Asst. Prof. Sarah Angiela Ragay, the newly reconfigured third floor will feature four discussion rooms designed to accommodate both small and large groups. “These spaces are ideal for brainstorming sessions, focus group discussions, study groups, virtual meetings, and similar activities,” she shared. Now equipped with improved acoustics and interactive displays, the rooms offer a more dynamic environment for collaborative learning.
Ragay also highlighted several other additions that reflect the library’s shift toward a more innovative and learner-centered approach. “Aside from the conventional sections, we’ve created various new spaces to better serve our library clients,” she noted. Among these is a studio room dedicated to multimedia production, furnished with the necessary equipment for audio and video projects.
Also newly introduced is the Activity Loft, which provides a flexible space for small group activities, and the Well-Tech Hub, envisioned as a space that promotes tech-life balance and wellness within the academic setting.
Beyond its physical transformation, the library is also rolling out a range of innovative services to complement its traditional offerings. These include Hybrid and Remote Access, Personalized Research Assistance, a Digital Well-Tech Hub, Borrowing Beyond Books, Knowledge Curation Services, Community and Collaborative Spaces, and the Immersive Hub.
The modernization of the SU Library is rooted in the University’s goal of aligning its services with the 21st Century Library Framework. This includes providing accessible, relevant, and up-to-date resources; strengthening teaching and learning partnerships; integrating reliable, modern technology; and offering inclusive physical and virtual spaces for creativity and collaboration.
Ragay shared that the vision for transformation began in 2018, when Dr. Betty Cernol McCann assumed office as University President. “One of her first visits was to the library. Her leadership was instrumental in setting the direction for the library’s evolution,” she noted.
In 2022, the Uytengsu Foundation pledged support for the establishment of the Uytengsu Transformative Learning Center, which launched the current phase of renovation and redevelopment.
Library Operating Hours
Upon reopening, the library will resume its regular schedule:
Monday to Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (no noon break)
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (no noon break)
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no noon break)
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no noon break)
