Filipino grandfather's sidewalk library sparks reading mission — one book at a time
MANILA: Hernando Guanlao had just 50 books when in 2000, on a mission to encourage more people to read, he set out a sidewalk display. A quarter of a century later, the collection has grown to include thousands of volumes and a roadside library that is free and open to all, at all times.
Located in Barangay La Paz in Makati City, the Philippines' main financial district, Reading Club 2000 greets passersby with the sign: 'A good book is easy to find.'
Affectionately known as Tatay Nanie, Guanlao keeps books on the shelves in front of his house, on the ground floor and in his driveway, making them accessible to anyone looking for something to read. His vast collection ranges from fiction and non-fiction books to religious texts, academic theses, encyclopedias, dictionaries, children's literature and magazines, as well as self-help and textbooks.
The library is open 24/7, has no rules, no membership fee, and no late return penalties. If a reader fails to return a book, it is no problem — more will soon arrive in its place.
'A lot of books came over here from donations, delivered personally by people from different kinds of economic groups — individuals who still love (and) value printed words, love what they learnt from reading. They share it. They become givers,' Guanlao told Arab News.
In the past, when Reading Club 2000 was still small and he started running out of books, there would always be people offering support — something that for him is intrinsically Filipino.
'I'm not alone. I was able to generate participation of the community,' he said. 'The donors are reminded of our culture. Filipinos have different cultures: In Ilocos, they have the Ilocano culture; in Bicol, the Bicolano culture ... But there's one (common) thing: They are heroes, the givers. They have that in their hearts.'
Those who borrow a book from the sidewalk library usually return. Most are surprised Guanlao's books are all available free of charge.
But the 75-year-old bibliophile does not see himself as the owner of the books; rather, he their custodian, on a mission he hopes his children and grandchildren will continue.
He has not counted how many books have come through the library over the past 25 years but estimates that each day at least 200 leave — some never to return.
'These books are not mine. These are entrusted to me by a lot of book donors. I have to take care of the distribution of the books ... (to) readers that will contribute and be a force of change in the society,' he said.
'Reading is liberating ... As you read, you learn and learn and learn. And when you learn, you discuss and discuss and discuss. You are not alone in doing that ... You will (find) the answer you're looking for in life — the purpose of why you are here.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
Filipino grandfather's sidewalk library sparks reading mission — one book at a time
MANILA: Hernando Guanlao had just 50 books when in 2000, on a mission to encourage more people to read, he set out a sidewalk display. A quarter of a century later, the collection has grown to include thousands of volumes and a roadside library that is free and open to all, at all times. Located in Barangay La Paz in Makati City, the Philippines' main financial district, Reading Club 2000 greets passersby with the sign: 'A good book is easy to find.' Affectionately known as Tatay Nanie, Guanlao keeps books on the shelves in front of his house, on the ground floor and in his driveway, making them accessible to anyone looking for something to read. His vast collection ranges from fiction and non-fiction books to religious texts, academic theses, encyclopedias, dictionaries, children's literature and magazines, as well as self-help and textbooks. The library is open 24/7, has no rules, no membership fee, and no late return penalties. If a reader fails to return a book, it is no problem — more will soon arrive in its place. 'A lot of books came over here from donations, delivered personally by people from different kinds of economic groups — individuals who still love (and) value printed words, love what they learnt from reading. They share it. They become givers,' Guanlao told Arab News. In the past, when Reading Club 2000 was still small and he started running out of books, there would always be people offering support — something that for him is intrinsically Filipino. 'I'm not alone. I was able to generate participation of the community,' he said. 'The donors are reminded of our culture. Filipinos have different cultures: In Ilocos, they have the Ilocano culture; in Bicol, the Bicolano culture ... But there's one (common) thing: They are heroes, the givers. They have that in their hearts.' Those who borrow a book from the sidewalk library usually return. Most are surprised Guanlao's books are all available free of charge. But the 75-year-old bibliophile does not see himself as the owner of the books; rather, he their custodian, on a mission he hopes his children and grandchildren will continue. He has not counted how many books have come through the library over the past 25 years but estimates that each day at least 200 leave — some never to return. 'These books are not mine. These are entrusted to me by a lot of book donors. I have to take care of the distribution of the books ... (to) readers that will contribute and be a force of change in the society,' he said. 'Reading is liberating ... As you read, you learn and learn and learn. And when you learn, you discuss and discuss and discuss. You are not alone in doing that ... You will (find) the answer you're looking for in life — the purpose of why you are here.'
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Jadal Library: A cultural oasis in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province
DHAHRAN: In the quiet village of Umm Al-Hamam, located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, a lifelong passion for books has been transformed into a cultural haven. Ali Al-Herz, a bibliophile and literary archivist, has turned his home into Jadal Library, a treasure trove of over 37,000 books, more than 100,000 newspapers and magazines, and antiques, some dating back more than a century. Yet Jadal is not just a library; it is much more than that. It is a museum to explore, a philosophical space to reflect, and a stand against forgetting important cultural stories. Al-Herz told Arab News: 'Since I was born I have been surrounded by my mother's books. I grew up immersed in this passion to the point where it completely took hold of me; I became a bookworm.' The spark that ignited it all was when Al-Herz encountered the epic 'Sirat Antar' at age 13. 'From that epic and through it, I began to look into other worlds,' he said. This curiosity and fascination ultimately led Al-Herz to create one of Saudi Arabia's most unique initiatives. The name 'Jadal' means 'debate' or 'discussion' in Arabic, reflecting the library's curious spirit. For Al-Herz, the goal is not just to preserve texts but also to preserve the idea of questioning and exploring ideas. Al-Herz said: 'I chose this name for the library because it is deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophical history and in our own Arab-Islamic cultural tradition, particularly in our religious heritage.' The philosophical atmosphere fills three main halls — named after Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle — which welcome visitors into a curated world of reading and reflection. Rare manuscripts, ancient texts, newspapers, and antiques have been carefully archived. Each piece is a whisper from the past speaking into the future. Al-Herz explained: 'Even my recent focus on buying books has mostly shifted toward rare editions and old prints, to create a harmony between heritage and modernity.' But Jadal is not stuck in nostalgia, as every two weeks Al-Herz holds a literary gathering. The event brings back a tradition that was once important in the intellectual life of Arabs. It is an environment where writers, scholars, and thinkers gather over Arabic coffee to exchange ideas in a vibrant atmosphere. And in a time when people seek instant information online, Al-Herz still uses traditional methods. 'There is an ongoing struggle between two generations,' he observed. 'Victory will ultimately go to this latter generation once my generation becomes extinct. Paper libraries will then be transformed into museums.' Perhaps he is right; but for now, in the heart of Qatif's countryside, Jadal Library lives on, and it is a place where ink, memory, debate, and heritage continue to shape the cultural soul of the Kingdom.
Al Arabiya
08-06-2025
- Al Arabiya
Chinese ship runs aground off Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea
A Chinese ship ran aground in stormy weather in shallow waters off a Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea, prompting Filipino forces to go on alert, Philippine military officials said Sunday. When Filipino forces assessed that the Chinese fishing vessel appeared to have run aground in the shallows east of Thitu Island on Saturday because of bad weather, Philippine military and coast guard personnel deployed to provide help but later saw that the ship had been extricated, regional navy spokesperson Ellaine Rose Collado said. No other details were immediately available, including if there were injuries among the crew members or if the ship was damaged, Collado said. Confrontations have spiked between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy ships in the disputed waters in recent years. 'The alertness of our troops is always there,' Col. Xerxes Trinidad of the Armed Forces of the Philippines told reporters. But when they saw that a probable accident had happened, 'we tried to provide assistance as professionals' in accordance with international law on helping distressed vessels at sea. 'We're always following international law,' Trinidad said. Filipino villagers living in a fishing village on Thitu, which they call Pagasa island, immediately informed the Philippine military and coast guard after seeing the Chinese ship lying in the shallows about 1.5 nautical miles (2.7 kilometers) from their village, said MP Albayda, a local Filipino official, told The Associated Press. 'They got worried because the Chinese were so close, but it was really the strong wind and waves that caused the ship to run aground,' said Albayda, adding that other Chinese ships pulled the stricken vessel away. The stricken ship resembled what the Philippine military had repeatedly said were suspected Chinese militia ships, which had backed the Chinese coast guard and navy in blocking and harassing Philippine coast guard and military vessels in the disputed waters, a busy conduit for global trade and commerce. Thitu Island is home to a Philippine fishing village and Filipino forces and is the largest of nine islands and islets occupied by the Philippines. It lies about 26 kilometers (16 miles) from Subi Reef, which China transformed into an island base along with six other barren reefs to reinforce its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also involved in the long-simmering territorial standoffs, an Asian flashpoint that many fear could pit China and the United States in a major conflict. The US does not lay any claim to the South China Sea but has repeatedly warned that it's obligated to defend the Philippines, it's longtime treaty ally, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.
