Field Trip to The Reading Club 2000

The Reading Club 2000 is an free public library in Makati by Hernando Guanlao, or popularly known as Mang Nanie.  At Nanie’s library, there is no membership or no borrower’s card. One may take and keep the books or return them after reading. There’s no limit as to how many books you can take. The library has no rules.

Together with some of our homeschool friends, we decided to gather as much books as we can to donate and add up to Mr. Nanie’s collection.

We contacted him regarding the trip and our homeschool kids were welcomed to a happy place. He asked them to check out the collection, and even invited them to the second floor, where he had more books to share. The kids had fun going in and out, up and down his place.

Mr Nanie encourages us parents to let the kids discover their gifts and to share or give away that gift. He also encourages children to share, that they do not have to have much to be generous.

The best part of teaching your child to be big-hearted is that a generous child is more likely to become a happy adult. “Parents’ purpose is to raise children to be their best selves, to actually bring out the virtues that are the source of real joy,” says Kavelin-Popov, adding that “only through service to others can anyone have genuine happiness.” –  5 Easy Ways to Teach Your Child About Generosity

What can you do at the Free Public Library?

1. Donate books – text books, story books, magazines, any kind is accepted. Remember, well-loved and books in good condition attracts more readers!
2. Volunteer to sort out books. Mr Nanie needs help to sort books so it will be easier to store or donate them in libraries in communities outside of Manila.
3. If you can bring snacks – cookies, crackers, biscuits, to share, it will be appreciated by street kids who come to the place to check out the books.
4. Come with a happy and positive attitude. By being enthusiastic, your energy will be contagious to others.
5. Share with friends and ask them to donate books and share their time at The Reading Club 2000

The Reading Club 2000 is located at 1454 Balagtas St. Barangay La Paz, 1204 Makati. It is at the corner of Archimedes Street. If you are coming from PabloOcampo Sr Ext (Vito Cruz Ext), turn right at Balagtas and stop when you see the corner of Archimedes St. The public library on your left side.

Thank you to the following for donating books and your time for The Reading Club 2000:

Nico Rodriguez, Clint Orpilla, Nathalie Hong Guevarra, Rosselle Guico, and homeschool kids and their families: Pollux Reyes, Noah Caleb Del Rosario, Mei Mei and Marqui Velasco, Callie Co, Anica, and Gab Gavan.

You can read more about the 24/7 FREE Public Library here.