Hernanie Guanlao turned his house into a 24/7 public street library with no rules in 2000.
He called it Reading Club 2000. This street library in the Philippines is located in a village beside the major business district on Ayala Avenue.
Guanlao founded the Club to honor his parents after they died. “Through books, I’m able to honor and communicate with my parents.” He stares off into space, as if sifting through memories. “It started with 50 books, and they just multiplied,” he says.
His books have already reached several provinces in the country, from schools to tribes in mountains. His donors are international organizations (from London, Australia, and US), local groups (bikers, teachers, and government institutions), regular readers and guests, and strangers who randomly drop off books at his doorstep.
When examined closely, the shelves contain novels, encyclopedias, and titles covering everything, from sports to politics, from fashion to religion. Guanlao's collection reportedly has around two millions books.
The other thing that inspired Guanlao to put up the library is what he calls his “search for balance.” It is his way of finding meaning in a world that is consumed by the endless chase for material security and power. “As people get richer, their relationship with their inner rulers become thinner,” he says.
Since there are no rules in Guanlao's street library, there is no membership nor any form of registration. No ID, no fees. No systematic categorization of genres and titles. No limit to the books one can borrow and take home. Most of all, no one is required to return the books.
The books Guanlao loves to read are those that uncover secrets and hidden stories. In fact, this type of books inspires him to conduct his own research in the countryside, mostly about traditional customs, the healing wonders of nature, and forgotten languages. He admits it would be an expensive quest, but he is determined to find a way.
