THE 24-hour public library in the City was temporarily closed starting on Friday, May 17.
In a Facebook post uploaded at 3:22 p.m. Friday, the Cebu City Public Library said the institution was closed “due to roof construction” and will resume operations “until further notice.”
But some netizens were reacting to the announcement that the library was ordered closed because Mayor Tomas Osmeña lost in the elections.
However, City Librarian Rosario Chua quashed the talks, saying: “As much as possible, we also want to open the library because many of our clients are waiting. I just want to clarify that the move to close the library is for their safety.”
Chua said the reason for the temporary closure was because the library has no power supply because its electrical room was damaged by the rain.
“The BMS (building maintenance section) of the City has decided to cut the power supply to avoid fire because rainwater has penetrated the entire room,” she said.
Due to the heavy downpour last Thursday night, May 16, the electrical room was flooded with rainwater.
“There is an ongoing repair in our roof. That’s why the rain was able to penetrate the room,” Chua said.
Chua said the BMS will continue the repair of the electrical room on Monday, May 20, in time when the floodwater will subside.
The contractor of the ongoing rehabilitation of the building was also asked to hasten work on the roof to allow the public library to resume operation. (RVC)