SPUP LIBRARIANS PARTICIPATE IN THE 2026 PAARL NATIONAL SUMMER CONFERENCE

In its continuing pursuit of professional excellence and innovation in library and information services, the Knowledge and Information Resource Network (KIRN ) of St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP) participated in the 2026 Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL)

National Summer Conference held on April 15–17, 2026, at the Best Western Plus – The Ivywall Hotel in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Representing SPUP were Ms. Maria Cristina M. Malana and Ms. Micah Ezra Wasit, who joined academic and research librarians from across the country in exploring current trends, best practices, and emerging innovations in library and information management. Anchored on the theme, "The Library C.O.R.E. – Compliance,

Output, Research, and Evolution: Sustaining Academic Quality and Innovation," the conference emphasized the evolving role of libraries in advancing institutional excellence and supporting quality education.

The three-day conference featured insightful plenary sessions and discussions on key areas affecting academic libraries, including accreditation, quality assurance standards, and internationalization; measuring library impact and institutional excellence; governance and research in the age of data and artificial intelligence (AI); reskilling

and upskilling librarians for the demands of 2030; and effective monitoring of library outputs, performance, and organizational impact.

The conference provided participants with valuable opportunities to deepen their knowledge, exchange ideas with fellow professionals, and gain practical insights into innovative strategies that strengthen library services and enhance support for teaching, learning, and research. The discussions underscored the

critical role of academic libraries as dynamic partners in institutional development and lifelong learning.