{{Short description|University library in Manila, Philippines}} {{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox library | name = Miguel de Benavides Library | logo = UST Miguel de Benavides Library.png | logo_size = 120px | image = MigueldeBenavidesLibraryjf0474 04.JPG | country = Philippines | type = Academic library | scope = | established = {{start date|1605|07|24}} | ref_legal_mandate = | location = UST Central Library Building, University of Santo Tomas<br>Sampaloc, Manila | coordinates = {{coord|14.61085|N|120.98847|E|region:PH_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | num_branches = 5 | items_collected = books, papal bulls, royal decrees, journals, newspapers, magazines, maps, atlases, microforms, manuscripts | collection_size = 300,000+ volumes | criteria = | legal_deposit = | req_to_access = | annual_circulation = | pop_served = | members = | budget = | director = | num_employees = | website = {{URL|http://library.ust.edu.ph}} }}
The '''Miguel de Benavides Library''', also known as the '''University of Santo Tomas Library''', is the main academic library of the University of Santo Tomas. The library has been in continuous service and its collection antedates the existence of the university itself.
==History==
The initial collection of the University of Santo Tomas's (UST) library came from donations; specifically from the private collections of the institution's founder, Fr. Miguel de Benavides and other benefactors including Fr. Diego Soria and Hernando de Los Rios Coronel. Other members of the Dominican Order also donated books concerning priesthood.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About us |url=http://library.ust.edu.ph/about-us.html |publisher=Miguel de Benavides Library |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref>
UST's academic library was founded on July 24, 1605, which makes it 6 years older than the university itself.<ref name="asiasoldest">{{cite news |last1=Navarette |first1=Paola |title=Asia's Oldest |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/03/asias-oldest/ |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=3 July 2020}}</ref> It was originally hosted inside the University Building in UST's original campus in Intramuros and later establish presence in other buildings within the campus. Following the destruction of the Intramuros campus, the library moved in to the Main Building at the university's new campus in Sampaloc, Manila.<ref name="about"/>
The library moved in to a dedicated building in 1989. On October 29, 1989, the UST Central Library Building was inaugurated.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miguel De Benavides Library |url=https://www.ust.edu.ph/administrative-offices/miguel-de-benavides-library/ |publisher=UST Communications Bureau |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>
The UST Central Library adopted its current name in 2008 in honor of Miguel de Benavides.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Tomas |title=Library renamed Miguel de Benavides |url=http://varsitarian.net/news/20081117/library_renamed_miguel_de_benavides |access-date=7 July 2021 |date=17 November 2008}}</ref>
==Collection== The Miguel de Benavides Library hosts centuries-old publications some of which are accessible online through the UST Digital Library.<ref>{{cite news |title=Original 'Noli Me Tangere,' other rare books, go digital |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2017/05/15/1700186/original-noli-me-tangere-other-rare-books-go-digital |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=The Philippine Star |date=15 May 2017}}</ref> The library is also in possession of the UST Baybayin Documents, two documents written in baybayin script, which has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Archives of the Philippines in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=UST documents in ancient 'baybayin' script declared a National Cultural Treasure |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/169646/ust-documents-in-ancient-baybayin-script-declared-a-national-cultural-treasure/ |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=Inquirer Lifestyle |date=24 August 2014}}</ref>
The Antonio Vivencio del Rosario UST Heritage Library, a section at the main library, houses over 30,000 ancient volumes published between 1492 and 1900. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved collection of ancient books in the Philippines. It is named after Antonio Vivencio del Rosario, a former secretary general of the university (1854–1866). The heritage library collections include ''La Guerra Judaica'' (1492) by Josephus Flavius, ''De revolutionibus orbium coelestium'' (1543) of Nicolaus Copernicus, ''Doctrina Christiana'' (1593), and the first edition printed copies of ''Noli Me Tangere'' and ''El Filibusterismo'' of José Rizal.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 25, 2015 |title=Once again, 'Lumina Pandit' |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/85183/once-again-lumina-pandit |first=Antonio |last=Montalvan II|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=June 30, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 28, 2019 |title=This Philippine Library Keeps 30,000 Ancient Books Worth Billions |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/heritage-library-keeps-ancient-books-worth-billions-a00293-20190528-lfrm |first=Mario Alvaro |last=Limos|work=Esquire Philippines |access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>
In collaboration with Unionbank, the library was able to conserve, digitize, and publish the university collections.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 5, 2015 |title=The UST Library's portal into history |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Weekender&title=the-ust-librarys-portal-into-history&id=109125 |first=Jorge |last=Mojarro|work=Business World |access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>
The Esquinita de Quijano de Manila, a reading section at the humanities section of the library, holds the book collection of Nick Joaquin. Joaquin's personal library, which contains 3,000 books, was donated to the university in 2005.
==Gallery== <gallery widths=200 heights=150 > File:Ust library33jf.JPG|The facade of the UST Central Library building File:Santo tomas libreria.jpg|Library of the Santo Tomás University in Manila, 1887 File:MigueldeBenavidesLibraryjf0474 09.JPG|Hallway File:MigueldeBenavidesLibraryjf0474 08.JPG|Miguel de Benavides Library at dusk </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{UST}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Miguel De Benavides Library, University Of Santo Tomas}} Category:University of Santo Tomas Category:Academic libraries in the Philippines Category:Libraries in Metro Manila Category:Educational structures in Metro Manila Category:Buildings and structures in Sampaloc, Manila Category:Research libraries Category:1611 in literature Category:Educational organizations established in the 1610s Category:Libraries established in the 17th century Category:Organizations established in 1611 Category:1611 establishments in the Philippines