BATANGAS CITY LIBRARY: A Safe Haven Towards Envisioning Your Future
Genevie D. Manimtim- Feature
A treasure trove of knowledge and information that embody learning, culture, and
other important secular values and manifestations of the common good are somewhat
hard to find elsewhere. Beyond that is the safe havens that every bookworm wants to
have their own, and when that day comes, it’s like a dream come true. Knowing that an
avid reader should not only have a great place to read in peace, but should also be able
to display all of their beloved books with pride.
Within the heart of the city, lies of a place where each students have fun in
reading books, enjoy making artworks, and surf through computer. The Batangas City
Public Library and Information Center formerly known as Batangas Provincial Library
was established in 1921 with only 300 books in its shelves. The library has experienced
series of transfer from one place to another during the Japanese and American regime.
Batangas City Library is strategically located within the city surrounded by the Plaza
Mabini, Roman Catholic Church, educational institutions, local government offices and
other business establishments. Its accessibility has been luring avid readers to frequent
the library for searching information and enjoying leisure time.
Batangas City Public Library and Information Center now occupies an old
historical structure with 965 square meters floor area. With the implementation of
Republic Act.7743, twenty six (26) barangay reading centers were established in
Batangas City wherein the Batangas City Public Library was tasked to provide support
and supervision to them. It has fourth floor which provide learning materials that can be
accessed by the deprived, poor people to avoid the digital divine.
Staircase design of this library reminds avid reader to show their love for reading.
A hotel vibes inside the city library gives an unprecedented spike experience in
censorship attempts with a focus on books that address the voices. Second floor was
the place for admin section, periodical and special collection, as well as the conference
and children’s room. There’s children section where students have fun reading books,
enjoy making artworks, and listen to the storytellers.
Beyond the tranquility is a secret haven that captures the attention of all
batanguenos such as OFW, out of school youth, seniors, teachers, and also indigence
that is situated at the third floor. DILG section where individual can enjoy reading books
on local and Brgy. Governance, reference and fiction section, audio visual room that
can accommodate thirty interested individual and the 42 computer units accessible for
the Technology for Education program with coordination of DICT.
The wide space of the library has adequately occupied the different sections of
the library: Office of the City Librarian, internet room, deposit counter, receiving area,
display and exhibit area, reading section, stack room, cataloging and working room, and
the place for the reference, Filipiniana, children’s, periodical, and local collections.
The majority of the extensive collection of reference and Filipiniana materials in
the library were lent by the National Library. The others were acquired by the city
government through solicitations made to various publishers, foundations, government
agencies, and civic-minded people. Similarly, the library keeps a unique collection that
includes information on the political, social, cultural, historical, and economic aspects of
the city, province, and nation. Additionally, it contains multimedia content, the majority
of which is meant for younger audiences. The people who use the library in Batangas
City and other areas benefit from the availability of electronic resources via the internet
in addition to these printed materials.
Still, one of the city library's top priorities is to promote government initiatives and
programs as well as library services. Depending on the event's theme and timing,
exhibits and displays are created. Government initiatives, programs, and current
awareness services are also advertised on bulletin boards. The bulletin board is used
to notify users of announcements and the titles of recently acquired books. In order to
reach remote barangays for outreach initiatives, it also collaborates with the city
government.
