MITCH Roldan, a fourth year electronics engineering student at the Cebu Institute of Technology University, had no idea that a comment on Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s Facebook page would lead to the country’s first public library that will be open 24/7.
But that’s exactly what happened after she wrote that students would save money if they would be allowed to study inside Rizal Memorial Library and Museum on Osmeña Blvd.
“I didn’t expect it, especially coming from someone who is the father of Cebu to say yes. I told him to just consider it,” Roldan said.
She said she didn’t want to burden her parents with additional fees by studying inside expensive coffee shops, so she sought the mayor’s help.
“We have a mock bar. And the school closes at 9 p.m., but we still have so much to study. It’s really different if you study inside the library because our teachers pick their questions from books as reference, not on the internet,” Roldan said.
Roldan, who was named their university library’s top borrower twice, said the public library will help students, especially those from far-flung areas.
“I am happy and thankful that I made this happen, nga mao ni akong (this is my) legacy. This would help students appreciate studying more by being inside the public library,” she said.
She admitted that studying in coffee shops and fastfood joints is a drain on the budget.
“Some of the parents thanked me through chat for the library because their child can now save. It was overwhelming the support coming from my fellow students. I wasn’t the only one who needed the library but all of us,” Roldan said.
Roldan graduated from high school at the St. Theresa’s College. She has a 15-year-old brother. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father is a teller.
As of yesterday, the library was already equipped with WiFi access and electrical outlets for charging gadgets.
The mayor’s decision to act on Roldan’s request garnered praise from many sectors and scorn from some who believe he is just trying to gain political mileage.
Since news of his announcement broke out, several media outlets from Metro Manila have picked up the story, including CNN Philippines and Rappler.
Meanwhile, with the public library operating 24/7, the City will be hiring security guards and additional library personnel.