Photo from Iloilo City PIO
Books have found a new home among the stalls of Iloilo Central Market as the city expanded its network of community reading spaces to one of its busiest public areas.
The newly opened “Library sa Merkado” gives vendors, shoppers and their children access to reading and learning materials without having to leave the market.
Located on the second floor of the dry goods section, the facility will initially welcome visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The city is considering opening it on weekends.
The project adds a market-based facility to Iloilo’s existing network of two district libraries, eight barangay reading centers and four outdoor libraries in city plazas.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said children accompanying their parents to the market were among those the project particularly hoped to reach.
The city sees early access to books as a way to encourage children to enjoy reading, develop their imagination and strengthen comprehension skills.
The Zonta Club of Iloilo City Inc. donated the reading space, while the Technical Institute of Iloilo City assisted in its construction. The opening also included a storytelling activity for daycare children.
Treñas said the city hopes to bring similar reading spaces to other public markets, extending access to educational resources beyond traditional libraries.