People behind library’s success cited

CEBU, Philippines —  The netizen who suggested to turn the Cebu City Public Library (CCPL) into a 24/7 library for students was acknowledged yesterday during its centennial anniversary night.

A year ago, Mitch Roldan, an engineering student at that time, recommended to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña on his Facebook page to open the public library 24/7 so students would have a secure and affordable place to study, especially at night, instead of staying at fast food restaurants.

“I was also once a student nga ginapahawa sa [fast food] kay nagtuon nya kausa ra niorder. It’s not me raman sad guro na nakaexperience og ing-ana. I just want a place for students to study jud,” Roldan said.

She also encouraged the youth to speak up in order to help and contribute solutions to problems.

During the library’s centennial night yesterday, an awarding ceremony was held to recognize individuals who greatly contributed in the library’s developments and helped in reaching a hundred years. Roldan was one of these individuals.

With Roldan’s request, the CCPL became the first ever public library in the Philippines that offers 24/7 public service.

The National Library of the Philippines acknowledged the library for its outstanding performance and deemed it the top performing library in the country. Currently, it has served over 160,000 clients in a year with its new developments.

Meanwhile, CCPL Chief Librarian Rosario Chua believes that even after standing for a hundred years, the library will still continue to serve for several years more.

“Makita na gyud nako sa umaabot nga panahon na mudako ang library kay daghan run ang nagtagad [ani]. Dili lang ang local, [but also] globally. Daghan nila ang nioffer og tabang,” Chua said. (I can foresee that the library will become bigger because many people, locally and globally, have offered help for its improvement.)

Other awarded individuals include Hon. Raul del Mar, Jesusa Pacaña, Cirila de los Reyes and Lorna Eguia.

Posthumous award was also given to Flavia Muaña, Hannah Velez Cannen, Don Sergio Osmeña Sr., Gov. Sotero Cabahug, Hon. Jose  Nolasco and Los Tocayos de Rizal.

Institutions that were also recognized include the Cebu Provincial Government, Rotary Club of Cebu, Zonta Club of Cebu II, Friends of the Cebu City Library, University of San Carlos American Spaces, Basadours, Beyond Books, Childlink Learning Center and Childlink High School, Inc., Chinese Consulate General in Cebu City Philippines, KGS Cebu and Philippines, Mandaue Foam, Uratex and N-Vision.

CCPL celebrated its hundred years through a week-long activity which started on April 8. It consisted of various activities such as workshops, lectures, acoustic night, zumba, children activities, stargazing activity and others.

The city government allocated P91 million for the week-long celebration.

CCPL opened in April 13, 1919 as the Cebu branch of the National Library of the Philippines. — Raizza Aliviado, USC Intern MBG (FREEMAN)