6 Public Libraries In Manila Your Inner Bookworm Will Enjoy
While technology has made great strides and given us the ability to download almost anything and put it onto tiny devices, nothing quite beats the feeling of cracking open a favorite book. Sure, you can easily spend long afternoons in the mall, but there is a different kind of satisfaction in being surrounded by well-worn tomes in a well-stocked library! Here are some public libraries in Manila that you can visit to keep your bookworm heart happy.
1The Lopez Museum and Library
If you’re interested in Philippine books, this is the place to visit. The Lopez Museum is one of the oldest private libraries and museums in the city. This library boasts of over 30,000 titles and counting! It is a great help to those who want to read up or research on Philippine history and culture. There is also a museum with over 500 works, including paintings from respected Filipino painters Juan Luna, and Felix Resurreccion. Entrance fees cost PHP 100, with discounted rates for students and senior citizens.
The Lopez Museum and Library
G/F Benpres Bldg., Exchange Road Corner, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website
2Quezon City Public Library
Do you live up north of Manila? You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you enter the doors of the Quezon City Public Library! The main library has about 20,000 titles and 70 computer stations made available free of charge to Quezon City residents. The library subscribes to online international journals, which is a great help for any student. This library is also a great place to bring young children, for they can read age-appropriate e-books through their digital library.
Quezon City Public Library
Mayaman Street, Barangay Central, Quezon City (Main Branch)
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website
3Pasig City Library and Discovery Centrum
The Pasig City Library is another one of those public libraries in Manila that you will love to spend hours in! They have a beautiful children’s section where kids can lose themselves in loved storybooks. High school and college students will also love the reference sections made available to them. The Pasig City Library also has a Science and Discovery Centrum. Science-loving kiddos will definitely appreciate this cool tour! There are minimal entrance fees applicable, but it’s well worth it.
Pasig City Library and Discovery Centrum
Caruncho Avenue, San Nicolas, Pasig City
Open on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Website
4National Library of the Philippines
It’s hard to miss this multi-story complex along Kalaw Street, Manila. This is one of the biggest public libraries in Manila that hosts an extensive collection of books, periodicals, multimedia, and more. The National Library has storytelling sessions and puppet shows for children who visit. They have special sections for Filipiniana books, Iranian Studies, and even a Library for the Blind! Best of all, you don’t need to apply for a library card to use the facilities. Just present any valid ID and you’re good to go!
National Library of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website
5Goethe-Institut Manila
Want to soak up a little bit of foreign culture? Goethe-Institut Manila is a privately owned library that is open to the public. They stock numerous books, periodicals, and media on German culture and politics. It’s an interesting way to spend a Saturday morning, and you’ll find yourself whiling away the time in one of their charming reading nooks. This is one of the public libraries in Manila that you can access for free, but if you want to borrow books, you will need to sign up for a membership with a fee.
Goethe-Institut Manila
G/F Adamson Center, 121 Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Open Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Website
6Miguel Hernandez Library
If the Spanish culture is your thing, visit the Miguel Hernandez Library at Instituto Cervantes de Manila. Here, you can learn about the Spanish culture, the country’s history, and maybe even listen to Spanish songs for the full effect! It’s also one of the privately owned libraries in Manila that is open to the public. Because it’s located in the heart of Makati, you can explore more places of interests in the area, like weekend markets or museums.
Miguel Hernandez Library
G/F Ayala Tower I, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website
It’s definitely awesome that the government and private collectors take the time to make so much knowledge available to everyone! These public libraries in Manila will help out anyone who needs more resources for school or just simply satisfy someone with an insatiable reading bug. If you’re a book lover, be sure to check out other hangout spots you may be interested in!
