Cebu City library visitors drop in number

CEBU, Philippines - Visitors at the Cebu City Public Library and Information Center decreased by 57 percent last year compared to the number of visitors recorded in 2009.

The decrease is attributed to the ongoing renovation of the Rizal Memorial Library building that was started in 2009. The Public Library occupies the ground floor of the building.

In 2009, there were a total of 29, 414 visitors at the public library despite its closure for two months from August to September for clearing for the renovation.

But after it resumed in October 2009, the number of visitors every month has dropped by 80 percent which continued until December last year.

In 2010, the public library was visited by only 5, 138 researchers.

As soon as the renovation is over though, a tremendous increase in the number of visitors is expected.

To prepare for this, the public library has already made a request for 15 vacant positions necessary for efficient and effective service.

The most relevant positions that need to be filled immediately are positions for Librarian III and Librarian I.

Right now, the library has 10 employees, five of which are regular library staff while the rest are detailed workers.

The library also hopes for more funds to come this year to increase the books available.

Currently, there are only 3,741 reference materials, 2,785 fiction books, 1,356 general reference books and 2,235 journals and serials.

There are 32 volumes of books for the blinds, 25 volumes of unique and pre-collection books.

These already include the 1,568 volumes of books and serials received from different private individuals as donations. (FREEMAN)