University Archives (Memo U2324-020)

Consistent with the creation of the position of University Librarian announced on 11 May 2023 (Memo # U2223-082), I would like to announce that, while continuing to operate independently, the University Archives will report to the University Librarian, not to the Vice President for Administration, effective 1 August 2023.

I am also pleased to share with the community that the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, the Manila Observatory, and our University administration have agreed to a functional merger of our three Archives. Day-to-day operations of the combined archives are to be managed by the Director of the University Archives, although each will maintain autonomous governance structures and their collections will remain distinct and separate.

This functional merger will be followed by a physical merger, with the collections of all three Archives to be eventually moved to the Special Collections Building of the Rizal Library (better known as the “old” Rizal Library).

We have asked Dr Vernon Totanes, University Librarian, and Dr Francis Navarro, Director of the University Archives, to work with the administration of the Manila Observatory and the Society of Jesus to effect a smooth transition to this new functional organization and manage the eventual physical transfer of the resources of the three Archives.

We believe that the combined collections of these three Archives represent an invaluable additional resource for the research and scholarly work of our university community, and that moving them to the Rizal Library will make this resource much more easily accessible to all.

For your information and guidance.