The Davao City Library and Information Center (CLIC), is a modern public library which opened its doors to the public on July 14, 2022.
The concept for the new library center started in 2018 when the City Government, led by then Mayor and now Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, envisioned a dedicated building for the city library which for many years was housed inside the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council) building.
The project was allocated a budget of P94 million of which P50 million was provided by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) with the rest coming from the coffers of the City Government. It was formally inaugurated by current Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte last year after the delay in construction due to the pandemic.
The first floor of the library opens to a café and a newspaper, periodical area. In January of this year, a 60-square meter space on the ground floor was transformed into a coffee shop which serves coffee crafted from locally-grown beans.
“The second floor is for the children. We have an amphitheater there for informal reading for kids to have a comfortable space while reading,” OIC and City Librarian Salome Enoc said.
The library's third floor is designated for adults seeking to engage in research or reviews. On the fourth floor, a dedicated call center is set up to handle inquiries related to Davao. This floor also houses the administrative and technical staff offices of the library, along with facilities such as a conference room and an IT room.
“We also have an organic garden on the fifth floor (rooftop),” Enoc said.
Aside from the collection of books, the library serves as a showcase for artworks by Dabawenyo visual artists. Each floor features mural paintings that vividly portray the local culture. Before its official opening, the City Government tapped local artists to contribute their creative talents in decorating and enhancing the library's interior.
Enoc mentioned that their objective goes beyond just providing a modern and comfortable facility. They aspire to transform into a hybrid library, integrating both physical and digital resources and services. With that, the CLIC has strategically placed tablets across various areas of the building, enabling visitors to access online information and e-books.
“We are not just on printed books but we have online materials. The DOST (Department of Science and Technology) has materials here which can be found in our online services. Our library is similar to other libraries, we have adapted,” Enoc said.
Enoc mentioned that their objective goes beyond just providing a modern and comfortable facility. They aspire to transform into a hybrid library, integrating
both physical and digital resources and services. With that, the CLIC has strategically placed tablets across various areas of the building, enabling visitors to access online information and e-books.
“We are not just on printed books but we have online materials. The DOST (Department of Science and Technology) has materials here which can be found in our online services. Our library is similar to other libraries, we have adapted,” Enoc said.
The CLIC welcomes an average of around 400 visitors daily, with a significant portion being young professionals. Enoc noted that the library's accessibility, facilitated by its convenient location reachable via public transportation, contributes to its popularity. Even prior to its official public opening, there was a notable demand from people seeking a conducive space for reading, reviewing, and studying.
Strategically located at Davao City’s downtown area, the library can easily be reached by public utility jeepneys that ply the C. Bangoy Street Route.
First-time library goers would have to register and get a library card worth Php100 valid for one year. For those wanting to borrow books can get a borrower’s card for Php 30 valid for one year. The library is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On August 25 of this year, the CLIC was honored with two prestigious awards from notable institutions. The National Library of the Philippines and the Asia Foundation recognized the CLIC for its exceptional achievements: The Public Library of the Year Award for the year 2022 and The Most Innovative Public Library Award for the Library Programs and Activities Conducted (Adaptive).
These awards acknowledged the remarkable service that CLIC has rendered to its community, catering to a total of 164,205 clients through both face-to-face interactions and online engagements throughout the year.
It was also recognized as being at the forefront of innovation, continuously developing plans and activities to advance public libraries. (RGA/PIA Davao)