I still remember the days back in my college years where I used to spend time in the main library of UP Diliman scanning through piles and piles of books for my research as a Computer Science student. It was almost a decade ago and how I wished information were more easily accessible.Technology has changed a lot since then. Even Manila maps are now readily available online. Another proof of which is today's Philippine e-Lib.
The Philippine e-Lib, as coined from the term "electronic library," is the first public electronic library in the country which serves as a web-based gateway to a variety of online resources available.
It boasts of an exclusive and updated set of information about the Philippines and other resources. The Philippine e-Lib holds a collection of more than a million bibliographic records, 25 million digitized Philippine materials and 29,000 full-text journals.
It contains electronic copies of books, thesis, manuscripts, and even Filipiniana materials scanned microfilms into electronic copies in Portable Document Format (PDF) format. On the other hand, union catalogs containing bibliographic records from partner libraries and institutions are in Machine Readable Catalog (MARC) format.
Other Services
The web portal aims to provide information for different sectors of society in an affordable, convenient, and efficient way. With these in mind, aside from the regular download features, they also offer document-delivery services for e-Lib users who want their digitized material delivered through courier services. User membership is also categorized as either Partners, Content Builders, Individual or Institutional/Corporate Subscribers, and Pre-paid card users.
Yes, you read it right, the system utilized the prepaid card model similar to that of the private telecommunication industry. Card denominations are in P100, P300, P500, and P1000. THese are available in the national Library and strategic locations within the partner institutions.
Recent Developments
The website was renewed lately wherein system migration from the old system is ongoing. While some full-text materials may not be available yet for download, you could still visit the site by simply typing in your browsers http://www.eLib.gov.ph and sign-up as a member to gain access.Recently, they held an afternoon seminar for an online community of bloggers last March 14, 2009. A short talk by Mr. Chito Angeles, the project manager of Philippine e-Lib portal, briefed the attendees about the portal and new developments. Project Director Dr. Jaime D.L. Caro and Ms. Myra Jill Siason of the UP DILC were also present.
In conjunction with this renewed thrust, they are currently holding a training workshop which started yesterday, March 17, and will end tomorrow, March 19 entitled "Web Technologies: Training for Development of Library and Teaching Resources". This is being held at Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino corner Velasquez Sts., University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.Origin
The Philippine e-Lib was formed in mid 2003 through the concerted efforts of Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Library of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines. It was funded through the Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT) which was then known as the Information Technology and E-Commerce Council (ITECC).
For Inquiries and details, pls contact:
Prudenciana C. Cruz
Director
National Library of the Philippines
nanie@nlp.gov.ph
Salvacion M. Arlante
University Librarian
University of the Philippines Diliman
salvacion.ariante@up.edu.ph
Chito N. Angeles
Head, Computer Services Main Library
University of the Philippines DIliman
chito.angeles@up.edu.ph
Project Management Office:
National Library of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita,
Manila, Philippines
1000
Technical Support:
Portal Development Team
elibsupport@gmail.com
The Philippine e-Lib is your access to the most comprehensive libraries in the Philippines and the world.
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