At University of San Carlos American Corner opens

CEBU, Philippines - United States Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney yesterday opened the new American Corner (AC) at the University of San Carlos, bringing to 14 the number of American Corners in universities throughout the Philippines.

The new AC, situated at the Central Library of USC’s Arthur Dingman Building, is open to the public for free.

The ACs are partnerships between the US Embassies and host institutions which provide free access to current and reliable information about the US through books, the Internet and local programming to the general public.

Kenney said the new facility serves as an information outpost similar to public library reference service that contains a comprehensive account about the United States.

She said that the project is aligned to their vision to let Filipinos know more about the US because it is seldom that a center highlights the almost complete “rich literature” of their country.

“We wanted to be a center for learning and we encourage the reading public to trace the history of Philippines and how its international relations with us,” she said.

Kenney thanked the Cebuanos for warmly welcoming the project and hopes that the reading public will understand and appreciate the US as it continues to bring new projects to the Philippines with “passion and dedication.”

“For as long as Filipinos need us, America will continue to build American Corners,” she said.

Martha Buckley of the Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State explained that the project was first established in the country on November 19, 1984 at the Xavier University.

“May we be touched by world history through accurate information and by appreciating the good relationship between the Philippines and the United States,” she ended.

Present during the inauguration were Elzadia Washington, deputy acting director of the US Embassy; Fr. Dionisio Miranda, USC president; Dr. Ramon del Fierro, dean of USC College of Arts and Sciences; lawyer Alex Monteclar, dean of USC College of Law; and chief librarians from various institutions like University of Cebu, Cebu Institute of Technology, University of the Visayas, and Southwestern University. — Marjun A. Baguio, University of Cebu Intern/LPM