The Davao City Library and Information Center has seen an increase in the number of visitors based on the January and March 2023 data.
DCLIC Officer-In-Charge Salome Enoc, during the I-Speak media forum, said that the increasing trend in library visitation is largely due to the accessibility of the main building on Ponciano Street and also the presence of the DCLIC on social media.
Based on the record, the library recorded 7,337 visitors in January. In February, it recorded 10,617 visitors. Its March figure was 11, 921 visitors or an increase of 61.5 percent compared to January’s. The average number of visitors per day is 400, mostly young professionals.
Enoc said that with the increasing trend, they noticed that there is now a demand for more tables and chairs. As observed, third-floor clients, who are college and high school students, usually spill over to the second floor, which is dedicated to the younger age range and is meant to be an informal floor where noise can be allowed on a certain level.
“For our tables and chairs gi-present namo na sa panggamhanan, hopefully, mabutangan sa fifth-floor ug isa ka room sa roof deck garden to address that (For our tables and chairs we presented it to the board, and hopefully another room will be placed at the roof deck to address that),” she said.
As to the concern and demand for extended opening hours, Enoc said that it is still in the works. They would have to justify it first before the Local Library Board as it entails additional funding for manpower.
Enoc reminds the public that aside from the main public library building, the DCLIC also has reading centers in Calinan, Tugbok, Toril, Bunawan, which is currently under construction, and also in Buda and Marahan.
These reading centers are also equipped with books for readers to enjoy.
Enoc said that they also conducted initial talks with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for a partnership in bringing the mobile library to the daycare centers. CIO
