THE Davao City Library and Information Center (DCLIC) has welcomed approximately 358,000 visitors from January to November 2024, a significant increase from last year’s 301,000.
Genevieve Tagudin, DCLIC’s children's librarian, shared in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio that this upward trend might push the total to nearly 400,000 visitors by year’s end.
“Probably muabot pa guru ni ug almost 400,000 so mas taas atoang utilization or ang pag maximize sa atoang mga Dabawenyos even mga dili Dabawenyos sa atoang City Library (Probably, this will reach almost 400,000, which reflects higher utilization by Dabawenyos and even non-Dabawenyos at our City Library),” she said in a radio interview at Davao City Disaster Radion on Thursday morning, December 26, 2024.
The library also recorded 15,804 new memberships during the same period, further highlighting its growing popularity. In addition, 81 library tours were conducted in 2024, up from 53 the previous year.
Tagudin anticipates this momentum will continue, especially with the National Museum's proximity, which could attract more visitors to the library.
DCLIC extended its impact by supporting over 30 barangay reading centers across the city in 2024, compared to 20 in 2023. The library donated a total of 6,440 books to these centers, with each receiving 300 to 350 volumes.
Tagudin noted that donated books, particularly at barangay health centers, are actively being read by children, demonstrating their value in fostering literacy in the community.
Additionally, the library’s social inclusion program has expanded its reach to far-flung areas. Through its bookmobile, DCLIC has brought resources to orphanages, homes for the aged, cancer centers, and other underserved communities.
The library, which opened on July 15, 2022, is now located on Ponciano Street, having relocated from its former site on the third floor of the Sangguniang Panlungsod building. RGP
