Cebu City library starts 24-hour operations

The Cebu City Public Library and Information Center has started its 24-hour operations of Friday upon the directive of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Osmeña made the announcement through his Facebook account, after replying to a request by a certain Mitch Roldan.

Posting a comment on Osmeña's FB page, Roldan had asked the local chief executive if the public library can be kept open 24 hours so students could have a safe place to study.

Osmeña posted his decision on the same page, saying that "Mitch Roldan, per your request, the Rizal Public Library is being outfitted for 24 hour use. The air conditioners are being upgraded, additional staff and guards being hired, CCTV installed, and WiFi routers are on their way."

The Basadours Inc., a story-telling group, welcome Osmeña's move.

"We are happy to learn of this recent development coming from the Cebu City Government, through City Mayor Tomas Osmena, concerning our very own Cebu City Public Library and Information Center," the group said.

"We look forward to this development with excitement as we further our cause to help spread the love for reading through our storytelling and literacy development activities, which are primarily held in the Cebu City Public Library and Information Center," they added.

Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo, Basadours vice chairperson, said the library is the group's birthplace.

"The public library is a venue for learning and discussion. Hence, the recent move to open the library for 24 hours, 7 days a week is an inclusive move of the Cebu City Government to provide a venue for students to study. I hope students will take advantage of this opportunity," she told GMA News Online.

"I hope they will treat the library as a sacred place for study. I hope that they will keep in mind that having the library as a venue to study is a privilege that is given to them," she added.

She also said the library has been the venue of the groups story-telling sessions, training, child protection seminars, and fellowships. — BAP, GMA News