After operating 24/7 City library users grew four times

CEBU, Philippines — The number of Cebu City Public Library users grew more than four times since 2017, after the city government started the round-the-clock operations exactly a year ago today.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the library has served 129,539 users from March 9, 2018 to March 8, 2019. The number of users have skyrocketed because of the 24/7 operations.

“Karon, nakita nato nga daghan diay nagkinahanglan sa library human gyud sa pag 24/7 na nato,” City Librarian Rosario Chua told The FREEMAN.

To recall, the current administration ordered the 24/7 operations of the library after the request of a student, Mitch Roldan, last year.

Roldan earlier requested to extend the operations of the library so that students will have an affordable place to go to study instead of going to coffee shops.

Today, Chua said the public library will celebrate its first year anniversary for operating 24/7 and at the same time the national public library day.

There will be a short program wherein the management will present the highlights what happened throughout the year as it operated 24/7.

In 2017, the library has recorded only 26,671 clients.

After the declaration of 24/7 operations, the city signed an agreement with the PLDT and Smarts Communications, Inc. for the free Smart Wi-Fi access to library users every day.

Another improvement has made a significant change for the library as it opened its digital braille section for the visually-impaired individuals.

Chua said the library management will express its gratitude to the officials of the city and other stakeholders that donated chairs, tables, and offer free services to the users of the library.

“One of the highlights of the library is that we produced more than 10 topnotchers from various courses that used the library for their review,” she said.

Also, Chua said the management is gearing towards the celebration of its centennial year on April 13, 2019.

There will be series of activities to commemorate the 100 years of existence of the public library.

As this developed, the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum Building’s Sinulog Hall will be converted into a multipurpose hall where concerts, events, theatrical plays, and other functions may be held which will be completed five months from now.

Cebu City Assistant Administrator Annabeth Cuizon said the mayor ordered for the conversion of the multipurpose hall into a study area if the need arises especially during examination season.

“The renovation is for the roofing kay nagtulo naman. Atong giuna ang atop kay dili na magamit. Apil sa first phase is the electrical wiring, comfort rooms, ug plumbing,” Cuizon told The FREEMAN.

The P9.7-million renovation, which is spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways-7, started last January 21 and will be completed in 180 days.

It was last year when Osmeña asked Senator Richard Gordon to help the city government in renovating the 79 years old building which houses the Cebu City Museum and Cebu City Public Library.

While the renovation is ongoing, Cuizon said the 24/7 operations of Cebu City Public Library on the first floor will not be affected.

However, she said the city has to temporarily close the Cebu City Museum, located on the second floor, to protect and secure the paintings while the construction on the third floor is ongoing.

Once completed, Cuizon said the Sinulog Hall will be used as multipurpose hall where events may be held and may also be converted as study center during examination season.

Aside from Gordon, Cuizon said Senator Risa Hontiveros also vowed to help in the renovation of the building.

The city announced the P3-million pledge of Hontiveros for the renovation of the building.

Cuizon said the city has submitted the program of works and estimates to the office of Hontiveros but has not received response from them yet.

The interior design renovation would reach P33 million, including the audio-visual room for the library and others.

Cuizon said the city government has not gotten hold of the project of works and estimates for the total renovation of the building — GAN (FREEMAN)