The Iloilo City Public Library (ICPL) located at Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Learning Resource Center and Museum on Fajardo Street in Jaro district extended its operating hours to 8 p.m. to cater more Ilonggo students.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced that the ICPL is now open for Ilonggo students from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“We want to prioritize ang aton library to give our students a place to go, nga pwede nila mastudyhan. Learning and education is very important,” he said in a media interview.
According to library head Marion Aguirre, the ICPL is open from Mondays to Saturdays to cater Ilonggo students who do not want to spend money on study hubs and coffee shops.
“Damo gid nagakadto nga mga kabataan especially sa mga may exams. Gusto gid nila diri kay kon sa study hub or coffee shops may bayad. May mga estudyante nga limited lang ila financial resources kag nagaboard lang sila diri so they want to save,” she said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo.
Currently, the ICPL can accommodate more than 20 students.
Aguirre also assured the students that the tables and chairs are regularly sanitized. The area is also well-ventilated with huge windows to allow the free flow of air.
The management also allows students to bring food and drinks provided that their drinks have lids. Students are also required to always wear their masks and observe social distancing.
“We allow food as long as they clear their own area and dapat ang ila nga mga ilimnon may cover para indi mabasa ang mga libro kon maghulam sila,” she said.
Aside from the free use of space, Aguirre said the library also allows free use of computers provided by the Department of Information and Technology (DICT).
“Pwede sila kagamit sang services kag mapa-online appointment sa National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) kag Professional Regulation Commission (PRC),” she said.
Currently, there are two public libraries in Iloilo City. The main library is in Jaro district while the other one is located at the Sta. Filomena Day Care Center in Arevalo district but is yet to be opened to the public.
“Ang aton nga main library is sa Jaro gid but we are also preparing the library in Sta. Filomena and soon we will open it to the public,” she said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.
Last Monday, Aurelio Montinola Foundation and Library Renewal Partnership donated 2,000 books to the ICPL.
The books will also be distributed to the Jaro National High School; A. Mabini Elementary School; Iloilo River Plains Integrated School; Study Hub at Buhang, Jaro; Sto. Niño Sur Elementary School; Pakiad Elementary School; Iloilo National High School; Department of Education; and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Male Dorm in Brgy. Ungka, Jaro.
