Kaban ng Hiyas Congressional Library
Mandaluyong City
History
The Building
The library is named after the Kaban ng Hiyas building which houses it. The building, situated at the Mandaluyong City hall grounds, was inaugurated June 10, 1992. The first floor houses the Congressman’s Office and the Museum which showcases memorabilia of the late Sen. Neptali A. Gonzales. The Kaban ng Hiyas Congressional Library (KHCL) and the Mandaluyong City Hall’s Cultural Department are located on the second floor, whereas the Auditorium is the one occupying the third floor.
Ms. Melba A. Tablizo was the first Head Librarian of KHCL. Succeeding Ms. Tablizo was Ms. Teresita Pimentel followed by, Mr. Carmelo Baranda. Ms. Lorna B. Bulos is the current Head Librarian. Support staff is provided by the local government of the City of Mandaluyong.
When the library was inaugurated, its collection was comprised of hundreds of volumes of books from the National Library of the Philippines together with those acquired through donations initiated by Sen. Neptali A. Gonzales. Based on official records, the library started with 5,025 volumes of books which has now grown to 9,048 volumes with 6,116 different titles. Back in 1997, the library clientele was averaging 31 visitors per day. At present, the KHCL averages 312 per day.
The Library
Hailed as the first Congressional District Library in the country, the Kaban ng Hiyas Congressional Library (KHCL) was formally opened to the public last June 10, 1997. It was also on that day that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) about the library was signed by Representative Neptali M. Gonzales II, Mayor Benjamin S. Abalos, DILG Regional Director Rodolfo S. Ferraren, and National Library Director Adoracion Bayani Mendoza. The said MOA provides, among other things, that the ownership and administration of the KHCL belongs to the city government, while the offices of the City Mayor and the Congressional District of Mandaluyong would provide the continuing funding. The National Library of the Philippines supplies the necessary books, others reading materials and technical expertise, including the designation of the Head and Assistant Head Librarian.
On January 17, 2005, then-Mayor Neptali M. Gonzales II inaugurated the Internet Section of the KHCL. The Internet Section was initially comprised of six IBM computers, which was later on increased to eight. On February 18, 2009 all of the computers were upgraded into newer Hewlett-Packard models, with 20-inch LCD monitors. The Internet Section is now housed in its own room, across the Filipiniana Section where it used to be located.