Study needed to know if city would keep library

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez yesterday said there is a need to thoroughly study the viability of the Rizal Memorial Library along Osmeña Boulevard to determine if it is indeed worth keeping.

This after the City Tourism Council suggested to turn the 69-year-old public library into an arts library.

“The area is very valuable. We have to really look into it if it’s worth keeping as it is or if we turn it into an arts library,” Fernandez said, adding, that the study should focus on the number visits to the library, its kind of books, and its existing facilities

Fernandez said the city is willing to consider other options if it will be found out that it is more practical to let go of the library.

“If, for example, there are 100 people visiting the place daily multiplied to 200 days a year, there are 20,000 people. We divided the budget with the total number of people so that’s around P50. What if we just give that amount to let them have a card (for them) to use at San Carlos library instead?” Fernandez said.

The city has allocated P1.15 million for the library for 2009 but Fernandez said it would only be a matter of time before the second floor of the library building would have to be renovated.

When this happens, acting mayor Michael Rama said the city would be forced to transfer the library to either the Zapatera or Labangon Elementary School, where there are more students that can make use of the books.

However, the final decision would be made by education consultant Augustus “Joy” Young.

The library houses books about Cebu’s history and culture, as well as a collection of antiques donated by prominent Cebuano families. It also displays artworks by Cebuano painters. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)