Marcial R. Batiancila, Director of the St. Thomas of Villanova Libraries, was elected Regional Chair of the PLAI- Southern Tagalog Regions Librarians Council (PLAI-STRLC) at its recent general assembly in Laguna on October 9-10, 2007.   The Association is a regional council of librarians and information professionals under the umbrella of the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. Membership is open to all licensed librarians from the provinces of Aurora, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Rizal and Romblon. 

Also elected to the PLAI-STRLC board are:  Vice-Chair : Audrey G. Anday (UPOU); Secretary , Rene B. Manlangit (San Pablo Colleges); Treasurer : Rosario A. Villamater (Manuel S. Enverga University); Auditor :  Rosita Masangkay (Batangas Prov’l Library); Board of Directors:  Jocelyn Haling (St. Michael’s College) and Freya Faye Perez (CSJ de Letran-Calamba); House of Delegates: Jhenny P. Encina (CSJde Letran-Calamba), Michael John Tolentino (Imus Institute) NOMELEC Chair : Ms. Charity Mahusay (SSC-R de Cavite), Members: Ms. Rowena Andaya (IRRI), Louella Bagis (CSJ de Letran-Calamba), Jennalyn Pancho (Quezon Prov’l Library) and Joyce Pascua (Olivarez College).

On the other hand, in the recently concluded election of the Cavite Librarians Association, Inc. on December 7, 2007, Mrs. Chairty R.. Mahusay was also elected as Member of the Board of Directors and Mr. Batiancila as Ex-officio Officer. 

On August 31, 2007, the school board unanimously approved the proposal of the Library on the renaming of the Recoletos de Cavite Libraries to St. Thomas of Villanova Libraries.  The renaming of the Library is a fitting tribute to St. Thomas for his promotion of studies and missions in the Order of Saint Augustine, and for his love and care for the poor.  

The launching of the renaming of the Libraries took place on November 26, 2007 during the opening ceremonies of the 2007 Library and Information Services Month and the 73^rd National Book Week celebration.  The ceremony started with the unveiling and blessing of the statue of the saint installed at the Main Library and was then followed by a “Forum on the Life and Spirituality of St. Thomas of Villanova” with Rev. Fr. Alden V. Alipin, OAR (VP-Academics) as the resource speaker.   Present during the inauguration were the following— Rev. Fr. Emilio P. Jaruda, OAR (College President) and several school authorities, librarians and faculty.

It is praiseworthy and noteworthy that the Library was renamed in honor of St. Thomas meriting his contribution to the Order of Saint Augustine and recognizing his life of virtue and for his service to God and the Church.