DAVAO CITY – People flocked in droves to the new public library in this city which opened Friday, July 15.
In an advisory, the Davao City Library and Information Center (DCLIC) announced that the modern four-story library, which is open 12 hours daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, is already full as of 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 15, advising its clients to visit some other time.
“The Davao City Library has reached its maximum capacity. For your convenience and safety, we suggest Dabawenyos to visit the library later this evening or next week,” it said.
DCLIC head Sandy Enoc told Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that there is growing clamor to make the city library open 24/7 but they have yet to conduct another survey if this is favorable to the general public.
She said the library has a maximum capacity of 250.
“There is another clamor to extend it, or maybe for 24 hours, but we need to discuss it with the Board. We will make a survey again because the last time we did a survey on this, the result was 50-50. The Board decided that we need to have another survey and we will see,” she said.
She said aside from spaces intended for students and researchers, the library also has a library café adjacent to its newspaper section on the ground floor, conference room and Information Technology on the fourth floor, and an organic garden on the roof deck.
Clients will need to register and pay for membership cards – P100 for residents and P30 non-residents, she said.
She said that only residents can loan out books while non-residents can borrow books for in-house use but library users can get access to free Internet for one hour.
Enoc encouraged people, including non-students and non-researchers, to visit the library.
“The concept of this library is different as it’s not only intended for students and teachers. It’s a space where you can collaborate ideas. Those who need help with online registration for NBI or PRC (National Bureau of Investigation or Professional Regulation Commission), visit us in the library because you will be assisted,” she said.
She said that the National Library of the Philippines recognized the newly opened library as the “most innovative library in the Philippines” under the adaptive programs and services category.