Zambo library bags 4th place in nat’l tilt
The Zamboanga City Library bagged the fourth place in the recently concluded Search for 2009 Outstanding Libraries in the Philippines initiated by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Librarians’ Association, Inc. (PLAI).
The award, accepted by City Secretary Zenaida Jayme and Librarian IV Emilia Natividad last November 4 in Manila, was presented to Mayor Celso Lobregat Monday.
The award consisted of a plaque of recognition and cash prize. The award was presented by PLAI president Lilia Echeverri and Atty. Antonio Santos, head of the NCCA National Committee on Library and Information Services (NCLIS).
The entries in the competition were judged according to the facilities available, the building and the conduct of outreach programs.
The Zamboanga library, located at the R.T. Lim Boulevard is open from 8am-12 noon and from 1-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Its services are open for clients from pre-school to post graduate studies.
Natividad said the library serves between 400 to 600 daily especially during peak season. The use of facilities at the library is for free except for the use of the internet where a minimal fee of P10.00 per hour is charged.
The city library is under the supervision of the City Secretary. It has 3 computer facilities donated by the Philippine Library under its e-library program.
Natividad said the establishment of a section for the blind sector is in the offing with the expected arrival of 10 boxes of Braille books soon.
The other winners in the Search are Davao (first place), Dagupan (second place) and Angeles (third place). Two other cities from the Visayas landed fifth and sixth places. (Sheila Covarrubias)