Rizal Library Contingency Plan and Operational Guidelines for Limited Campus Operations (RL memo)

27 March 2026
Memo No. 2026-2027-002

As our community navigates the challenges brought about by the ongoing global conflict and its impact on our daily lives, the Rizal Library remains committed to being a steady partner in your academic journey. We have been designated as one of the primary spaces where essential onsite work and study can continue, so that those who need a reliable place to learn or work are supported.

While we must implement some changes to save energy and protect our shared resources, our goal is to maintain a productive environment for everyone. These guidelines are aligned with the Office of the Vice President for Higher Education’s (OVPHE) directives and may be updated as the situation evolves.

I. Operational Scenarios (April – May 2026)

To help us manage our energy footprint responsibly, we are introducing "zonal cooling." We invite you to gather in our consolidated study areas so we can provide a comfortable, cooled environment while being mindful of our utility use.

06 April – 18 April 2026

• Context: One (1) "Digital Day" per week (Monday or Friday)
• Key Implementation Dates: 06 April (Monday) and 17 April (Friday) 

20 April – 16 May 2026

• Context: Two (2) "Digital Days" (Mondays and Fridays)
• Key Implementation Dates:

*Note: The library hours for the First Pacific Hall (New Rizal Library) may be adjusted to 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily based on how the community will have used the space from 20 April to 16 May. Our energy protocols will remain the same to keep us efficient.

II. Supporting Your Academic Needs

To further support teaching and learning, the Rizal Library has three Multimedia Rooms that can be used as designated exam areas during Digital Days.

• To reserve and check guidelines, please see this link.
• Please note that on regular days, we only accommodate classes with film viewing requirements in these rooms.

III. Satellite Libraries and University Archives

To ensure alignment with their respective professional schools and administrative mandates, the following units will observe these guidelines:

• RL Ortigas: Follows directives and schedules issued by the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH).
• RL Rockwell: Follows directives and schedules issued by the Ateneo Graduate School of and the Ateneo Law School (ALS).
• University Archives: Operations and staffing will follow the directives of the University Archivist

IV. Community Support and Wellness

• Supervisors will hold quick 15-minute "Wellness Check-ins" via Google Meet on Digital Days to keep the team connected.
• We are temporarily suspending overdue fines if campus closures or transportation issues make it hard for users to return books on time. We appreciate your efforts to return books when possible, as this helps keep our shared resources available for everyone. For renewals or account updates, please email  circulation.rl@ateneo.edu.