Raul S. Roco Library is also known as Naga City Public Library. It is one of the first eight libraries organized in the country. It serves all year levels particularly on high school and college students. It has a designated area both for preschool and elementary.
It has the widest collection of books and reference materials from among the Local Government Unit administered libraries. This collection includes: general circulation, general reference materials, periodicals, AV materials, Electronics Resources and Filipiniana. Its special collection/section is on Local Governance, Research and Bikoliana.
Raul S. Roco Library is now a fully air-condition information center and opens from 8:00am - 5:00pm, with no noon break.
History
In April 1921, the library was established as Camarines Sur Branch Library by virtue of a resolution of the Provincial Board of Camarines Sur. Because of the World War, it was closed for public reading in 1941. It was re-opened after 01 April 1946. On 1 August 1956, this library was abolished by the Provincial Board of Camarines Sur believing that its services were more for the benefit of the city residents than for the people of Camarines Sur. It was then reorganized into and renamed Naga City Public Library that coordinated with all municipal libraries operating in the Province of Camarines Sur. The management and responsibilities of this library which was initially under Camarines Sur Provincial Government was given to the Municipal Government of Naga through Resolution No.124 Series of 1956.
To house its facilities and deliver its services, the library rented a building along Barlin Street in 1957 and 1958. It was transferred to a another building located at the center of the city to make it more accessible to the public in 1979.
Currently, it is located in a modern and fully equiped building within the City Hall Complex that was reconstructed on 11 October 2005 where this library was transfered. On 26 October 2005, through Resolution No. 2005-079 by the Sanguniang Panglunsod of Naga, it was also renamed, Raul S. Roco Library in honor to the late Raul S. Roco.
List of Accommodations
There is always a place to stay for everyone in Naga City no matter the purpose of the visit or budget. Naga offers a variety of accommodations such as hotels, hostels, inns, and apartelles that showcase the Nagueños warmth and hospitality.
- The Avenue Plaza Hotel - Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
- Star View Plaza Hotel - Elias Angeles St., Naga City
- Villa Caceres Hotel - Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
- Naga Regent Hotel - Elias Angeles St., Naga City
- Naga Manor Hotel
- Location: Balatas Road, Naga City
- New Crown Hotel - 39 P. Burgos Street, Naga City
- Naga City Youth Hostel - 14 Taal Avenue, Naga City
- Travel Suite - 45 Almeda Road, San Felipe, Naga City
- White Dahlia Apartelle - Mayon Ave. cor. Caimito St., Naga City
- Happy Side Apartment Homes - Narra St., Magsaysay Ave., Naga City
- Sixteen Lodging House - Roxas Ave., Triangulo, Naga City
- 24 Hours Lodging House - PNR Road, Triangulo, Naga City4736435
- Peñafrancia Resort - Brgy. Carolina, Naga City
Getting There
Naga City is easily accessible by air and land. The city is served by the Naga (WNP) Airport which is located in the barangay of San Jose in the nearby town of Pili. Flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Naga takes approximately 35–40 minutes with services provided by Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines three and two times a day, respectively. By land, Naga is a 7- to 8-hour ride from Manila via Quirino & Andaya Highways or 10 hours via the Maharlika Highway. It is approximately 22 hours from Cebu City with ferry transfers in Sorsogon, the southernmost province of the Bicol peninsula. Buses ply to Sorsogon and Tacloban. Daily rail services to and from Manila used to be provided by Philippine National Railways.
Getting Around
Within the city, the dominant mode of transportation is the tricycles and jeepney, the latter a 16- to 22-seater stretched version of the American jeep. The jeepney, dubbed as “The King of the Road of the Philippines”, is abundant all over the city. It is available for long distance travel and around the city on their designated routes.
Other means of transportations can also be found at very affordable prices. The ‘padyak’ or ‘pedicab’ is a bicycle with a sidecar. It is good for short-distance travels when you are not in a hurry. It is light and moves around the quaint village streets of the city. Naga still has a number of horse-drawn carriages called ‘calesa’ along Abella Street.
The ‘tricyle’ is a motorcycle with a sidecar for short and long distance travel. They are color-coded according to their routes but, can go around other places outside their regular fare for special trips.
Taxis are available. They are generally stationed in key commercial and tourist hot spots. They are all air-conditioned and serviced by friendly drivers. They can be contacted through their agents or the drivers' personal mobile numbers.