Making a difference, one library at a time

MANILA, Philippines - At a young age, Quintin Pastrana developed a love for the printed word. He normally spent his time reading a book, transporting his young imagination to bigger worlds. He was fortunate to have a family that supported his habit and access to facilities where he could go to read for leisure or research.

Not everyone is as fortunate as he is, though.

Growing up, he saw the reality – many Filipino children do not know how to read because they were deprived of access to learning materials and facilities. Due to poverty, children from the urban poor and rural areas opt to look for jobs than to pursue their studies so they can earn. For them, reading doesn’t feed empty stomachs.

From these observations and experiences rose Quintin’s idea of creating an organization committed to creating public access libraries all over the country.

In 2010, his team was able to build a public library in Aklan. That marked the birth of Library Renewal Partnership (LRP).

LRP’s vision is to empower more than two million citizens by building at least 200 community learning centers by 2020 and help forge an interconnected archipelago of readers and leaders. Currently, the organization has built 80 libraries in various parts of the country including Ilocos Norte, Albay, Aklan, Sagada, Kalinga, Tacloban, Quezon City, and Manila. They have even built public libraries in conflict areas in Mindanao such as Zamboanga, Marawi, Maguindanao and South Cotabato.

Interestingly, LRP has also built libraries for various public and private institutions such as the Philippine Heart Center, New Bilibid Prison, and GK Farms. Quintin Pastrana, now LRP founder and managing director, believes that a library is “a great equalizer” and should be set up where needed.

A public library, he adds, bridges the gap between social classes and is a tool for equality, equity, and development, and a government can only be politically, economically, and socially advanced if it gives due importance to creating learning hubs.

In this age of rapid technological advancement, how would a public library be appealing to the selfie generation? Libraries are a waste of space, and the cloud is where all the content should be, digital natives would tend to argue. What they don’t see, Pastrana says, is that the issue is not content, but context.

“Around the world – in developed and developing countries, libraries are vibrant community centers, sacrosanct and patronized. They provide a sense of belonging, enlightenment, and quiet – a rare commodity in this era of narcissism and information overload,” he explained.

Pastrana emphasized that the internet can only be a threat if misused and abused.

“Not everyone can get access to the web, especially in areas where connectivity is low. This is where people turn to for libraries for information,” he said.

Pastrana keeps a positive outlook about achieving the organization’s vision.

“We are working on a new library every month,” he shared.

He adds that in areas where they work, the local government provides the physical structure, overhead expenses, and staffing, while partners and donors provide books, learning materials, and educational programs.

This month, LRP is set to inaugurate libraries in Batanes, Lake Sebu, Intramuros, and Navotas.

With continued support and positive public response to their project, Pastrana is confident of reaching their target of 200 libraries and thereby educate more children.

To know more about LRP, visit www.librarypartners.com.