Library

Heeding the wise advice of St. Augustine of Hippo that in every house there should be a library (Possidius 31, 6,8), the Augustinian Friars of the Basilica put up a library in one of the corners of the convent. We don’t exactly know when this library was put up, but it is safe to surmise that it was established when the convent was constructed and completed in 1764. Originally, its ceiling had beautiful, elaborate paintings, but unfortunately the fire that transpired in the middle 80’s obliterated them. The library has a mezzanine where many old books are stacked. A gallery of the past Rectors of the Basilica from 1951 to the present adorns the mezzanine. Also, in the library can be found a big coat-of-arms of the House of Hapsburgs, an antique image of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The library, for centuries, was for the exclusive use of the Friars. But, in the year 2000, it was opened to researchers so that it can be of service to them. Since then, the library has accommodated a lot of researchers doing specific studies on the image of Santo Niño de Cebu, the church (Basilica), the convent and the Augustinians in the Philippines and in the world. However, the collection of books of the library is not only confined to these, but it also has books in various disciplines like, history and geography, religion, theology, philosophy, social sciences, languages, arts and literature. Aside from the antique books, special collections of the library include rare photographs of the momentous celebration of the Fourth Centennial of the Philippine Christianization in 1965.

Library Logogram

An eagle with two heads and displayed wings in the coat-of-arms of the House of Hapsburgs. The double heads signify the conjoining of two powers, the Austrian and Spanish Hapsburgs, which were united through royal intermarriage. The spread wings indicate protection, and the eagle denotes noble stature, strength and bravery.

Library Collections

General Reference – is a catchall classification of encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, atlases,Almanacs, bibliographies, globe, yearbook and rare books.

Subject Reference – this classification provide, books about philosophy, religion, social science, languages (Spanish and other languages in the 17th, 18th and 19th century), pure science, applied science, arts, literature, history and geography.

Filipiniana Section - collections include books by Filipino authors, books about the Philippines and published in the Philippines.

Periodicals - include bound issues of journals, magazines and newspapers.

Archive - collection of events and records.

Augustinian Sections

  • Books on the Augustinians authored by the Augustinian friars and Non-Augustinians.
  • Periodicals published by the Augustinians they consist of magazines, journals, newsletters.
  • Information files include Augustinian documents, academic yearbooks, directories and manuals.

Other Library Service

  • Photocopying

Library Fee

  • 100.00 Php

Library Hours

Monday to Friday
8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Saturday
8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon


Library Directors
Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony A. Reyes, O.S.A. (2016 - 2021)
Rev. Fr. Nestor Bandalan Jr., O.S.A. (2021 - present)

Librarian
Ms. Leonila S. Bulasa

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