No cards. No fines. No rules. Just books and trust. How Mang Nanie’s home library changed reading access in Makati City.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making a tiny change that becomes something huge, this is one of those feel-good stories that proves it’s possible. On a quiet street just off the bustling business district of Makati City, Philippines, sits a house overflowing with books instead of paperwork. It isn’t a museum, a bookstore, or a community centre. It’s someone’s home that’s been turned into a free, open-to-all library.
This is the story of Hernando Guanlao, better known to locals as Mang Nanie, and his passion project that changed countless lives: Reading Club 2000.
From Accountant to Community Librarian
Mang Nanie wasn’t always a librarian. In fact, for much of his life he worked in finance, an accountant by trade, but he always had a deep love for books and learning. That love was kindled early, influenced by his parents, both civil servants who treasured reading and encouraged their children to learn.
Then, nearing his 50th birthday, something struck him: his old textbooks, novels, and magazines were just sitting there in his home gathering dust. He wondered how many people might benefit from them if they were shared. So, in the year 2000, he took a small step that would lead to a big impact.
He placed around 50 books outside his house on Balagtas Street in Barangay La Paz, Makati City, with a simple message: “Free reading.” That humble start marked the birth of Reading Club 2000, a name inspired by the year it began and the idea of ushering in a new era of shared knowledge.
A Rules-Free Library for Everyone
What makes Reading Club 2000 so special isn’t just that it has books; there are many libraries, after all, but that it truly belongs to everyone.
At Mang Nanie’s library, there’s:
- No membership card
- No library card
- No borrowing limits
- No fees or fines
You can walk in, take a stack of books with you, and never be asked to return them. You can even keep them.
And people do. Students, professionals, street children, and curious passers-by. Anyone and everyone is welcome to browse and take home books without any hassle. Some visitors even leave books behind to expand the collection rather than take them, because they’ve been inspired by the spirit of giving that fills the place.
The books aren’t confined to just one corner either. Along the sidewalk and under makeshift shelves outside the house, books spill out into the open like a festival of ideas just waiting to be picked up.
Growing Beyond the Bookshelves
What started as a stack of 50 books over two decades ago has now grown into a vast treasure trove. Volunteers and donors keep contributing, and boxes of books: textbooks, novels, encyclopedias, religious texts, and even magazines now come and go almost daily. Some donors don’t even stay for introductions; they simply leave boxes of titles at the gate and trust that Mang Nanie will make good use of them.
The collection isn’t just for leisurely reading. There are educational resources to help students, spiritual books for those seeking inspiration, and countless works that appeal to any curious mind. For many visitors in a city known more for skyscrapers than study halls, this kind of accessible knowledge centre is precious.
But Mang Nanie didn’t stop at his own doorstep. He launched creative outreach programs, like what he calls “Book Walking,” where he literally walks with books to street children in different neighbourhoods, offering stories and learning opportunities where formal infrastructure is lacking.
What Makes Reading Club 2000 Noteworthy
The Philippines, like many countries, struggles with equitable access to books. Public libraries are relatively few and far between, and books can be expensive for families on tight budgets. In that context, Reading Club 2000 fills a vital gap.
Free access to literature means:
- Students can catch up or get ahead without spending money
- Kids can discover the joy of reading early
- Families can share stories at home
- Communities can explore new ideas together
It’s about more than just borrowing books. It’s about creating opportunities for learning and imagination that might otherwise feel out of reach for many. Not only that, but the nature of Mang Nanie’s library as being “rule-free” creates a culture of trust, generosity, and community that can never go amiss.
Protecting The Written Word
Mang Nanie’s hard work over the last 50 years is incredible. He’s served his community tirelessly, making the local life richer and providing opportunities for people. He’s also spent this time protecting the written word, whether he knows it or not. By ensuring that people in his hometown have access to books and writing, Mang Nanie did something phenomenal; he ensured that the written word remained important. He made sure books, literacy, and learning remained important.
His story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading.
The book brings together inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a heartfelt love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. You can order your copy here.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
