My visit to Mang Nanie’s street library – the Reading Club 2000

The first time I heard about Mang Hernando “Nanie” Guanlao’s house-cum-library, I knew I wanted to go there. One day, armed with a stack of books, a result of decluttering efforts, I Waze’d my way to Balagtas Street in Makati City, in search of the Reading Club 2000.

A sign outside Mang Nanie’s home prominently states “A good book is easy to find. FREE READING TO THE PUBLIC.”

Unlike the usual libraries we know, Mang Nanie’s street library was totally different. In normal libraries, there are rules to follow. Here there were none. In fact, the books have no borrower cards. There is no card catalog. You like a book? You can bring it home and keep it. Normal libraries have operational hours. Mang Nanie’s library is open 24/7.

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