The Davao City Library and Information Center (DCLIC) has seen an increase in the number of visitors, serving 358,000 people from January to November this year.
This is higher than 301,000 people who patronized the library from January to December 2023.
Genevieve Tagudin, Children’s Librarian of the Davao City Library and Information Center (DCLIC), said they were expecting almost 400,000 visitors until the end of 2024.
“So, probably muabot pa guru ni’g almost 400,000, maong mas taas ang ato’ng utilization or ang pag-maximize sa atoang city library (So probably we will reach almost 400,000, which will lead to a higher level of utilization of our city library), she said.
She said more visitors are expected because of the opening of the National Museum of the Philippines-Davao.
“I think musamot ni’g kadaghan kay na-open na ang ato’ng National Museum unya duol lang baya (I think the number of visitors will increase now that our National Museum is open, given that it’s just nearby), she said.
She said as of now, they support 20 to 30 barangay reading centers in various barangays across Davao City by donating books.
She said 6,740 books have been donated to the DCLIC, some 350 of which have been distributed to the barangays.
“Nagahatag mi og mga donations nga libro nga gikan ra pod na sa ato’ng mga donations pod sa mga taga-Davao City ug mga eskwelahan sa Davao. Kami nagakolekta and after that amoa na siyang ginatagi-tagi pod sa ato’ng mga gisupportahan nga mga baranggay reading centers (We are distributing books that have been given by Davao City residents and Davao schools. We gather them and then deliver them to the barangay reading centres that we assist),” she said.
She said because of the program, children in the barangays are enticed to read books.
“Sumala pa sa amoang experience, ang mga bata muadto sa baranggay para magbasa-basa. Katong mga wala siguro’y access sa gadget, so muadto gyud sila sa barangay para mubasa gyud (Based in our experience, children go to the barangay to read. Those who don’t have access to gadgets, they actually go to the barangay to read),” she said.
Tagudin also said that as of November of this year, a total of 15,804 people have registered for membership cards.
She added that the social inclusion service, one of their offerings, is still available.
She said the social inclusion program’s book mobile library is intended to assist clients in orphanages and homes for the aged.
“Dili lang kay mga estudyante or regular clients ang atoang gina-serve, naga-serve pod ta through our book mobile didtoa sa mga orphanage ug home for the aged (We don’t just serve students or regular clients, we also serve orphanages and homes for the aged through our book mobile),” she said.
Tagudin also encourages Dabawenyos and tourists to visit the Davao City Library, which is situated near the People’s Park, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CIO
