The University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Information and Computing Sciences (CICS) launched the biblio.tech.ai satellite library on Wednesday, Aug. 9, where students can learn, play, and interact with each other.
In addition to books related to CICS subjects, Thomasians can also conduct online research and socialize with each other through various board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, and more.
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, CICS Regent Rev. Fr. Gaspar Sigaya mentioned that one of the primary reasons for establishing an "interactive" library is to remind students that they are not "robots" and to provide a space where they can spend quality time together.
"This is the University of Santo Tomas; our collection is more or less geared towards religion, theology, philosophy, and medicine, but you know this is a very unique college. In this college, we are training people for the future of IT (information technology). These are the future of the new generation," he explained.
"This will be a place for them to study, play, and enhance their critical minds," Sigaya added.
The concept of the satellite library was conceived in June, and since it was not included in the school year's budget, Sigaya said that they had to improvise by utilizing two existing classrooms in the building and refurbishing tables and chairs.
The books are sourced from the university's main library, while the board games are brand new.
"The more we improve our facilities and services, especially in the library, that will justify where their library fees go to," Sigaya said.
The biblio.tech.ai is located on the 19th floor of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building.
It is open exclusively to UST CICS students, operating from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.