HISTORY OF THE HIMAMAYLAN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY -

History of the Himamaylan City Public Library

Mayor Federico Tabino & Governor Valeriano M. Gatuslao (1953)

The Himamaylan Municipal Government under Mayor Federico Tabino and the Provincial Government under Gov. Valeriano M. Gatuslao proposed to establish a place for its constituents’ generation nest-foundation of wisdom and power-the books, the library.

Mrs. Amanda Gimotea

Driven by the desire to provide the best for Himamaylanons, the Municipal Government appointed Amanda Gimotea to prepare the necessary materials and equipment to establish the envisioned library. Soon enough, an empty space was transformed into a modest room with few chairs and tables. News to set up a library spread and many philanthropic and concerned citizens donated some of their treasured possessions-their books.

Mayor Jose Gatuslao (1956)

This time under the leadership of Mayor Jose Gatuslao, Mrs. Gimotea was sent to The National Library in Manila to get books allocated by the National Government to the Himamaylan Library. It was also in the same year that the library had its periodicals section where national newspapers like Bulletin Today and Daily Express as well as some local magazines subscribed by the Himamaylan Government were displayed and read by the clients.

Mayor Luz R. Bayot (1993)

The new Municipal Library was established, occupying an area of 82 square meters. It displayed some 1,046 books from the National Library, donations and those purchased using local funds. Mrs. Mariter Ortiz, the Library-In-Charge, was equipped with the necessary skills to organize the library accordingly. In October of the same year, the Municipal Library was affiliated under the administration of the new Mayor Luz R. Bayot.

Administration of Mayor Raymund Tongson, Jr. and Vice Mayor Justin Silos Gatuslao. (2019)

Vice Mayor Justin Dominic Silos Gatuslao authored the Library Modernization Ordinance, which provided clear leadership for the institution and earmarked annual funds for the continuous expansion and operation of the Himamaylan City Public Library (HCPL). This was approved by Mayor Raymund Tongson, Jr. on November 14, 2019. This landmark Ordinance paved the way for HCPL to create partnerships with different organizations, such as, but not limited to, the Philippine Business for Education (PBED), the Angat Buhay Foundation, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DCIT), and Google.org. Further, Mr. Teddy S. Robles, the Officer-in-Charge of HCPL, garnered the “Gawad Parangal sa Natatanging Propesyunal na Tagapangasiwa at Tagapaglingkod ng Pampublikong Aklatan” in 2022, while the HIMAMAYLAN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY won at the 6th Gawad Pampublikong Aklatan held in Manila on March 22, 2024, and was selected as the Most Innovative Public Library in the Country under two categories: Progressive (Kiddie Learning Train) and Adaptive (Gabay at Turo and Civil Service Review). Additionally, HCPL was recognized for the “Digitalino: Digital Literacy Initiative“ for cost-effectiveness and impactful service delivery.

Today, HCPL has more than two thousand nine hundred (2,900+) books, fifteen (15) Computers, sixteen (16) laptops, and twenty-two (22) tablets. Presently, HCPL and its satellite CLHs serve thousands of clients monthly. Extension programs also include Open Mics, Digital Literacy Training, Free Review Programs (Civil Service Exam, Licensure Exam for Teachers, and Criminology Licensure Exam), as well as providing board games such as scrabble and chess to establish HCPL as an open and safe civic space for all.