Sen. Sonny Angara recently proposed a bill to strengthen the public library system of the country and update RA 7743. The new Senate Bill 1879 was first presented in the 2nd Regular Session of the 18th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.
The bill was introduced last October 12, 2020, and was referred to the Committees on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, and Local Government and Finance for review.
The full title of the proposed bill is "An act strengthening the public library system, amending for the Republic Act No. 7743, otherwise known as 'An act providing for the establishment of Congressional, City, and Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers throughout the Philippines,' and for other purposes."
The bill provides for more modern and electronic means of delivering library services and resources to users, such as:
- books, e-books, online research resources, subscriptions to online academic journals, databases and periodicals
- electronic library system for storing, cataloging and filing of data and materials
- Provision of Internet access and equipment
- Libraries as venues for events and activities 'to increase the functional literacy rate, encourage a culture of reading, self-study and lifelong learning, preserving the local heritage and history, and promoting nationalism, socio-civic consciousness and harmony throughout the local community'
According to the proposed Act, "Such services may include access to free WiFi, and affordable rentals of ICT equipment like smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and mobile WiFi hotspots. These may also include webinars and online training modules for reskilling or upskilling."
The bill is also intended to emphasize the role of public librares in the preservation of local heritage and history.
It also aims that all cities and municipalities of the Philippines will be provided with an electronic operated library system by 2022.
RA 7743 was established in 1994 and 26 years have passed. It is time to update this law to include many technological changes in libraries and the world in the past years.
Librarians, what do you think? Do you have something in mind you would like to improve on this bill?
Read the whole document on the Senate website
Source:
An act strengthening the public library system, amending for the Republic Act No. 7743, otherwise known as 'An act providing for the establishment of Congressional, City, and Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers throughout the Philippines,' and for other purposes, S.B. 1879, 18th Congress, 2nd Regular Session (2020).
Angara, S.M. (5 November 2020). Upgrading our public libraries for the next normal. Retrieved from https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/05/upgrading-our-public-libraries-for-the-next-normal/
Angara wants public libraries to provide essential services to learners under the new normal. (31 October 2020). Retrieved from https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/releases/1057667
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