The Davao City Public Library
THE Davao City Public Library with its humble beginnings proved how it stood the test of time. With over 40,000 books and post-modern facilities to access this, it has become the melting pot for learning in Davao City.
What started as a small hub in Magallanes Street in 1938 has now branched to four satellite libraries, three reading centers and one mobile library to reach the remote areas of Davao.
“Unbeknownst to some, we have put up centers in Tugbok, Toril, Tibungco, Bunawan, Buda, Calinan and Marahan,” Pedrita Badar, a librarian from Davao City Library told SunStar Davao.
The library had also put up an Iranian corner for Islamic materials in September 2015 and the Korean Corner comprised of books about peace in January 2016.
Every year, it has an annual book allocation of over 200 volumes from the National Government.
The Davao City Public Library has obtained numerous awards since the early 2000s with the latest being the third Outstanding Library with Services For People With Disabilities by the National Commission For Culture and Arts (NCCA), National Library in The Philippines (NLP) and Philippine Librarian’s Association, Inc. (PLAI) in 2014.
“We don’t get yearly awards because such usually depend on the type of service required. Let’s say for 2013, we bagged the second place for the Outstanding Children’s Service in NLP Affiliated Public Libraries,” Badar said.
Out of the 120 public libraries in South East Asia in 2012, the Davao City Public Library was the only one chosen by the Beyond Access Program, which donated 20 computers. The program is an initiative of several non-profit organizations from the US and Europe and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to improve public libraries.
A report from GMA said, "unlike other public libraries in the country, which deteriorated from neglect and misuse, the Davao City Library is clean, bright and continues to attract patrons from all over the city and neighboring areas."
More than its books and periodicals, the library offers free digital literacy for senior citizens. A weekly average of five senior citizens visit to learn the basics in using the computer.
“Depende sa request nila (It depends on their request), we conduct it every week. We are in our third session for this year now,” Badar said.
In cooperation with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the City Government of Davao, patrons can be able to access the different books in the Davao City Library at the comfort of their homes for free.
In the first quarter of 2017, the E-library will be added to the roster of services afforded by the Davao City Public Library.
Mobile Library
For 40 years now, the Davao City Mobile Library never ceased to serve the public. Starting at 8 a.m., the bus would drive to the most remote areas to provide free books, film viewing, and interactive discussions to elementary students.
“Umulan man o bumagyo, we are on duty four to five days a week, servicing one to two schools per day. What’s good is may mga teachers talaga na nagsasabi sa amin na because of what we do, marami talagang students ang natututo,” she said.
The Mobile Library, composed of six crew members, offers book lending and basic computer literacy among others.
“We give out two-three books to elementary students. After two weeks, we pick it up in their school. We also teach them one by one the basics in computers such as paano gumamit ng mouse. More than reading, we aim for students to value technology at an early age,” she said.
More than Home
The Davao City Public Library reminds me of home. Just upon entering, I was taken back to the same spot 15 years ago when computers and wifis were not yet mainstream. I remember getting lost in a trail of books as a young girl.
It was also in that particular place where the first Regional Quiz Bee I joined was held. I have built so many memories and learned so many lessons. What I am today as a junior writer is probably the result of the countless years I searched for the best books I could read. Such a shame how some do not know of it.
“I have worked in this library for twenty years already, all I could say is come to Davao City Public Library and you’ll see,” Badar said.