Cebu City Public Library to open 24 hours, 7 days a week anew

Local

THE Cebu City Public Library (CCPL) may soon operate 24/7 once again.

This came after Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. revealed his plan to restore full access to learning spaces and digital resources for the public.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, June 17, Archival said he plans to reopen the library for round-the-clock operations as part of his education-focused agenda.

“We are happy to share that the Cebu City Public Library will soon be open to the public again, 24/7,” he said.

In an interview, Archival said that he aims for “uninterrupted access to educational resources,” especially for students needing extended study hours and stable internet connectivity.

To support this, he said the city is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to equip the facility with reliable internet access, without requiring additional city funds.

“Nag-coordinate nata sa DICT kung how fast they can put the system. Kung wala, that’s one thing nga ato gyung himuon na i-open,” Archival added.

He said the city is still finalizing staffing and logistical requirements for late-night operations but hopes to resume 24/7 services soon after he officially takes office.

CCPL was the country’s first public library to operate round-the-clock when it began 24/7 services in March 2018 under then-mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The initiative stemmed from a student’s Facebook request asking for a safe, free, and accessible place to study after hours.

The library offers over 25,000 books, free Wi-Fi, public-use computers, and a digital braille section for visually impaired readers. Its services have been widely praised for providing equal access to educational tools regardless of socio-economic background.

However, the 24-hour schedule was discontinued in mid-2019 due to manpower constraints. The facility later scaled back operations further during the COVID-19 pandemic, closing entirely in May 2020 before reopening in September that year with limited hours.

Established in 1919, CCPL—formerly known as the Rizal Memorial Library—continues to serve as a key learning hub in the city.(TGP)