Mandaue library, 50, still a crowd drawer

The Mandaue City Public Library is five decades old and remains a favorite destination for those who want to scan books for research or just read to relax.

Beatrice Baguio, a sophomore at the Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School, said she often spends time in the periodicals section.

A history enthusiast, Baguio said she loves to scan old periodicals for her assignments. She picks novels from the shelves when done with assignments.

“It (the library) is one place that is quiet so I can think clearly,” Baguio told Cebu Daily News.

The two story-structure at the back of the Rizal-Bonifacio stage is one of the oldest libraries in the country.

It was inaugurated on June 19, 1954, through the efforts of then Defense Secretary Sotero Cabahug, father of the city’s charter.

Mandauehanons’ donations of 50 centavos to P2 helped build the library.

Despite renovations to separate its different sections, the library’s facade, tinted glass windows and doors continue to remind Mandauehanons of the structure’s historical value.

“The library itself remains a heritage to all Mandauehanons,” said librarian Angelina Cagatulia.

Cagatulia, assisted by 14 personnel in running the library, said it needed repainting and repair to prevent floodwaters from reaching its tiled floors.

However, Cagatulia said they would continue to preserve the library’s decades-old facade.

Cagatulia said the young and the old find comfort when they visit the library, which opens from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and until 12 noon on Saturdays.

A historical section contains old images and writings about Mandaue City.

An entire shelf holds documentation of significant events in the city’s history.

The library has a children’s corner, browsing and periodicals area, an online public access catalog section, general reference area, card catalog section and historical display area.

The library also has a photocopier for students who need to reproduce documents for their school assignments. Copies are charged P1 to P1.50 apiece.

Four wooden tables and Monobloc chairs are found n the reading area.

On the second floor is the “e-library” section where students could do computer research and have their projects printed for a fee of P5 to 15.

The area, which accommodates ten computer units, was opened in November 2010.

Computer and Internet use if free for a maximum of 30 minutes to also accommodate other users. Students could again use computers depending on availability.

Cagatulia said in most cases, students who visit the library look for old clippings for school assignments, while adults go to the newspaper stands to read.

Although open to the public, the library has rules.

Borrowing of books is only allowed for city residents.

Library cards are sold at P10 each. The library card is be presented to the librarian.

Cagatulia said the owner of the library card should also ask another person to serve as “guarantor” or reference person before they are allowed to borrow books.

When a borrowed book is lost, the library does not encourage collection of fines or payments. Instead they ask that the lost book be replaced by the borrower.

She said library staff always remind the public to return all borrowed books.