FREE internet surfing, anyone!
This is the latest of the new services from the Quezon City Public Library (QCPL) network after Mayor Herbert Bautista made available for immediate distribution 26 flat screen computer units to all QC libraries in the city’s barangays.
To increase the updated-access to the outside world, according to Bautista, students and researchers must be provided with the latest device commonly used globally.
Bautista is determined to strengthen not only the city government’s battle against illiteracy but also in its bid to provide the QC students, particularly the less privilege pupils, free access to the outside environment.
QCPL provides free internet access to all public school students and library goers to make them knowledgeable in the operation of the universal machine commonly used in all research undertakings.
Aside from having more than 62,000 books available for book enthusiasts and library goers, city librarian Emelita L. Villanueva is confident that the acquisition of the e-machines will serve as an avenue that will encourage more students and the not-so-often library goers to visit the city’s 21 libraries more often.
QCPL serves daily more than 12,000 clients who visit the library and its branches in the city, most of which are high school students who have limited access to much- needed references and the internet due to monetary problems.
Villanueva added that 77% of the users of the library are students, mostly coming from different public schools in the city where books and reading materials are not sufficient to answer the reference-needing populace. Students who sometimes encounter additional burden of transportation expenses and time going to the library from their residence should grab the opportunity to have free access to the internet, she said.
QCPL also offers free trainings for computer basics, Windows basic, Internet, E-mail, Open Office writer, Open Office Impress and Information literacy to those who wishes to gain knowledge in using computers.
The city library provides the Lex Libris, a compilation of laws intended for law students and related reference searchers. QCPL uses Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) in search of the library’s bibliographic index to know whether needed research materials are available.
Villanueva also said that Mayor Bautista has proposed the construction of four modernized district libraries to accommodate the growing number of library users every year. -30- Rico/ Maureen Quinones, PAISO
