Tovic Salvador

An SM Book Nook opens at SM North EDSA in Quezon City on August 15, 2025—the third location since its inception in 2020 and the first in the northern part of Metro Manila. Coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the initiative launched at SM Aura Premier in Taguig City, the public library offers a space for readers of all ages to read, learn, and connect with a community of fellow readers.


Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175599511027720250814-book-nook-sm-north-edsa-MD-14.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">An SM Book Nook opens at SM North EDSA in Quezon City on August 15, 2025 — the third location since its inception in 2020 and the first in the northern part of Metro Manila. Coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the initiative launched at SM Aura Premier in Taguig City, the public library offers a space for readers of all ages to read, learn, and connect with a community of fellow readers. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The classic image of a library is often a quiet, almost serious setting. It is a room filled with towering shelves and hushed whispers. Yet, this traditional narrative is being rewritten through a free library initiative put up in malls called Book Nook.</p><p>With its offer to read and donate books, a library can become a cozy corner amid a busy center, where stories are not just stored but shared with a bigger community.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/23/hectares-of-ricefields-buried-in-gravel-sand-after-dike-collapses-in-occidental-mindoro-2254">Philippine home-turned-library hopes to inspire reading</a></div><p>Book Nook goes beyond providing books for free. It also gives back through book exchanges. The community library allows to trade books one-for-one, igniting shared learning discoveries. </p><p>“The exchanging component is something you won’t find in more traditional libraries,” Book Nook founder Shereen Sy told ABS-CBN News. </p><p>“But I felt that the giving and exchanging component is very important because it&#x27;s different when you receive something tangible. And when a child finds something that they like, for me, that’s the spark that I hope to ignite in the child or even in adults,” she explained.</p><p>First launched in 2020 at SM Aura, Book Nook recently opened its third location last August 14 at SM North EDSA, strategically chosen for its proximity to academic institutions and various establishments. </p><p>Sy noted the location is an ideal place to reach more learners of all ages, serving as a direct response to a pressing issue in the Philippines: illiteracy. </p><p>Roughly 24 million Filipinos between the ages of 10 and 64 are functionally illiterate, lacking essential reading and comprehension skills, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2024.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/1/how-many-filipinos-were-functionally-literate-in-2024-how-many-were-illiterate-1438">How many Filipinos were functionally literate in 2024? How many were illiterate?</a></div><p>Free libraries are seen by many studies as one of the effective ways to combat illiteracy as they provide accessible learning resources to everyone.</p><p>Meanwhile, malls, widely known as shopping hubs and spots for leisure, can also transform into gateways for collective learning, with stations like Book Nook, its organizers believe. </p><p>To mark Book Nook’s fifth anniversary and SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, a donation drive has also been initiated, with the goal of collecting around 40,000 books by October 15. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/20/book-nook-opens-for-budding-current-bibliophiles-1641">Book Nook opens for budding, current bibliophiles</a></div><p>The drive accepts a wide range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, children and young adult books, as well as academic learning materials.</p><p>The donated books will be shared with partnered libraries such as the National Library, National Book Store, and Bookshelf PH.</p><p>SM Cares, the mall’s corporate social responsibility arm, said it is open to more collaborations with prospective partners who share the same goal of creating a dynamic, educational hub inside the mall. </p><p>“Any learning activities, as long as they’re really for the growth of the members of the community, we’re very much open to,” SM Cares assistant vice president Richard Caluyo said. </p><p>Reflecting this commitment, a Learning Baybayin workshop was also featured during the Book Nook opening event.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/8/17/ccp-lights-up-facade-with-baybayin-for-buwan-ng-wika-1507">CCP lights up facade with Baybayin for Buwan ng Wika</a></div><p>Veteran journalist Howie Severino, a strong advocate of Baybayin, taught attendees about the origin of the ancient Philippine writing system, highlighting the salience of the country’s cultural identity.</p><p>“As a lot of people say, libraries are boring,” Caluyo added. “But at Book Nook, it’s a library, it’s free, but at the same time, it’s a place where you can also learn and share knowledge with a lot of people.”</p><p>By redefining the picture of a traditional library, Book Nook stands as proof that reading and learning are a community experience, one that is accessible and enjoyable. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/14XhdDqZ2P0?si=fCoH8Xdy7wnx4lfI" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Book Nook goes beyond providing books for free. It also gives back through book exchanges. The community library allows to trade books one-for-one, igniting shared learning discoveries.</p>

Book Nook goes beyond providing books for free. It also gives back through book exchanges. The community library allows to trade books one-for-one, igniting shared learning discoveries.

Beyond traditional shelves: How Book Nook at malls redefine the library experience

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Beyond traditional shelves: How Book Nook at malls redefine the library experience

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Jen Esquivel

Published Aug 24, 2025 08:47 AM PHT

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