SENATOR Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara wants public libraries transformed into better facilities so that their use would be maximized as tools in distant learning.

Aside from providing reading and research material, the senator said libraries and barangay reading centers should also provide distance learning resources and Internet to students.

“I don’t think we are fully utilizing our public libraries. This could be because of the lack of useful resources that students need these days. Now everything is shifting towards digital and libraries should do the same if they want to remain relevant and useful to the public,” Angara said.

The lawmaker recently filed Senate Bill 1879 to strengthen the Philippine public library system by ensuring that these facilities are continuously updated to include the latest computer and electronic library technology.

The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 7743 or the law providing for the establishment of congressional, city and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers throughout the country, which was enacted in 1994.

“Apart from being repositories of information, public libraries should also provide free fast internet connectivity and ICT equipment for the use of the communities they serve. All of these tools are now more important than ever under the new normal,” Angara said.

While not all cities and municipalities have public libraries and barangay reading centers, those that already have these facilities should have complete standard sets of books, e-books, online research resources, subscriptions to online academic journals, databases and periodicals.

They should also have the latest electronic library system for storing, cataloging and filing of data and materials.

Support will be provided by the National Library to update these libraries and reading centers, in coordination with the local government unit concerned.

Under the bill, public libraries and reading centers would also be used as venues for seminars, training modules, webinars and activities that aim to increase the functional literacy rate, encourage a culture of reading, self-study and lifelong learning. Libraries should also help preserve the local heritage and history, and promote nationalism, socio-civic consciousness and harmony throughout the local community.

By 2022, Angara envisions that all cities and municipalities will be provided with an electronically-operated library system.