The library gap

By Noel Galon de Leon

I attended the National Training of Community Librarians of Room to Read’s Partner Children’s Libraries held at Seda Capitol Central, Bacolod City, from July 21 to 25, 2026, organized by Aklat Lunduyan of Room to Read and the National Library of the Philippines. Among the sessions that stayed with me was Dr. Blesila P. Velasco’s presentation, Building Stronger Communities Through Libraries: Understanding the Philippine Public Library Ecosystem, Affiliation, and Partnerships. It lasted only forty minutes, yet it raised questions that continue to linger long after the training ended.

The session was not simply about affiliation requirements, reporting systems, or administrative procedures. It revealed the larger reality of public libraries in the Philippines. I was struck by one statistic: more than ninety percent of local government units still do not have affiliated public libraries, despite the existence of a law requiring every municipality and city to establish one. That number is difficult to ignore because it reflects more than an institutional gap. It reveals how access to knowledge remains unequal across the country.

As someone who has spent years working with books, writers, readers, and communities, I have always believed that libraries are among the most democratic spaces we can build. They ask nothing from those who enter except curiosity. They welcome children, students, workers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and anyone searching for information or simply a quiet place to think. When Dr. Velasco said, “Not everyone can afford to study at Starbucks,” the statement resonated beyond humor. It reminded me that public libraries exist because learning should never depend on one’s ability to pay.

The discussion on the affiliation process also challenged many assumptions. Affiliation is not merely a certificate issued by the National Library. It is a commitment between local governments and the national library system to sustain public library services. The required documents, from regular budget appropriations to community needs assessments and dedicated personnel, all point to one principle. A library cannot survive on good intentions alone. It requires political will, financial commitment, and people who believe that knowledge is worth investing in.

What impressed me most was the emphasis on listening to communities. Dr. Velasco reminded us that librarians should never create programs simply because they personally like them. Programs must respond to the needs and feedback of the people they serve. That simple idea shifts the role of the librarian. Instead of being gatekeepers of books, librarians become listeners, facilitators, and community builders. A successful library is measured not only by the number of books on its shelves but also by how deeply it understands the people who walk through its doors.

The session also exposed the realities librarians continue to face. Political transitions often interrupt funding. Many libraries still rely on temporary personnel instead of permanent staff. Some local leaders still see libraries as optional rather than essential public infrastructure. These challenges explain why many libraries struggle to remain open or expand their services. They are not failing because librarians lack passion. They are struggling because institutional support remains fragile.

I appreciated Dr. Velasco’s vision of a hybrid library that values both print and digital resources. In an era obsessed with technology, it is tempting to believe that digitization alone is the answer. Yet many communities still lack reliable internet access, while printed books continue to offer a tangible, accessible, and deeply human reading experience. The future of libraries should not force a choice between paper and screens. Instead, it should embrace both while ensuring that no community is left behind.

I left the session with a renewed appreciation for public libraries, but also with a greater sense of urgency. Libraries are often praised during celebrations and literacy campaigns, yet they remain overlooked when budgets are prepared and priorities are decided. If we truly believe that education changes lives, then libraries should not be treated as optional projects that depend on the preferences of elected officials. They should be recognized as permanent public institutions that strengthen democracy, preserve culture, and expand opportunities for every generation.

 

Dr. Velasco ended with a simple but powerful reminder: every community deserves a library. I would go even further. Every community deserves a library that is alive, supported, well-funded, and deeply connected to the people it serves. Books alone do not build communities. Libraries do.

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Noel Galon de Leon is a writer and professor at the University of the Philippines Visayas, where he teaches in the Division of Professional Education and at UP High School in Iloilo. He is also the secretary of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ National Committee on Literary Arts.