24/7 city library service eyed

CEBU, Philippines — The renovations of the Cebu City Library are now underway as the revival of the 24-hour service is being eyed.

This is according to Rosario Chua, Cebu City librarian, during the opening of the 33rd Library & Information Services Month with the theme, “LETS LIBRARIES: Learning, Empowering, and Transforming Society through Libraries” at the Cebu City Library on Monday.

According to Chua, the revival of the 24-hour service of the city library will depend on the needs of the community.

"Also the decision of our chief executive, if they are willing to permit us to serve 24/7 then why not," said Chua.

Chua said as they are hopeful to revive the 24-hour service, there may be changes that come along with it. Among these is putting up an exclusive place where those who want to spend their nights with the library services.

She added, these plans may be executed right after the completion of the renovation.

"It depends (on) lang, siguro pag matapos na then we'll talk to the mayor regarding this 24/7, gusto naman nila, but we want them to have a safe place to study and provide them an exclusive place," said Chua.

Currently, Chua said renovation is already ongoing that includes painting from the external portion of the facility.

As the ongoing renovation is underway, Chua said they may close the city library soon if they need it.

The ceremony aims to strengthen the awareness on the importance of library services to the community. Chua said that they also want the people to be aware of what a library is in the modern times.

During the month-long celebration, various activities will be in place that also promotes inclusion for the library services.

Among these is digital literacy for visually impaired individuals, a seminar workshop on conservation and preservation of the library materials, the launching of the free literacy program, a chess tournament for the visually impaired, among others.

"Our main objective is to build an inclusive community. We have to get the involvement of all people from all sectors," said Chua.

The Cebu City Library has regular visitors of at least 150 per day that are utilizing the library services. Chua highlighted that despite the digitalization age, they have assessed that library services are still being sought among the public.

"Right now the people are still coming, they increase day by day," she said. — (FREEMAN)