The City of San Fernando, La union through Mr. Michael Nagas, Officer-in-Charge of the City Library San Fernando, La Union, receives the Unang Gantimpala of the 2020 Gawad Parangal sa Natatanging Tagapaglingkod sa Pampublikong Aklatan from the National Library of the Philippines, Non-Professional Category.

City Mayor Alf Ortega, together with City Vice Mayor Chary Nisce and City Councilor Tony Jucar, presented the award to Mr. Nagas as part of the virtual awarding ceremony yesterday, August 25, 2020.

The award aims to recognize public librarians who have shown hard work and dedication in delivering noteworthy services for their local communities.

Among the most outstanding initiatives of the City Library San Fernando, La Union, are the establishment of several Barangay Reading Centers, especially in the uplands, and conduct of an Online Storytelling together with the National Library of the Philippines.

The City Library also launched the On The Go Pick Up Books, which allows citizens to contact the City Library San Fernando, La Union, and request books that they need for school. After the confirmation of its availability, the City Library shall prepare the books for pick-up. Upon returning to the library, these books are isolated for 72 hours and are disinfected for the next user’s safety. In this manner, there is less person-to-person contact and intensified prevention of the possible spread of the virus, making sure that our learners are always safe and healthy.

Furthermore, the City Library also launched the ‘Book Saves’ program which aims to provide comfort, new insight, and welcome escape for CoViD-19 patients through reading books and other materials during their isolation. We are truly ready for the new normal.

Let us show that #SanFernandoAyayatenKa by continuing to support and cooperate with the City Government. Together, we shall rise victoriously from this challenge we are facing.

(Story by Keziah Arela Ibay)

(Photos by Adrian Sebastian)