The Book Stop reopens in Intramuros
Bookworms, listen up! Book Stop is back in business!
Planning a trip to Intramuros? Make sure to drop by the award-winning pop-up library for that reading fix and to swap or donate books.
After several months of being shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Book Stop has recently reopened and is ready to continue its mission for people to “give a book, get a book” from the outdoor library.
Located at Plaza Roma, in front of the Manila Cathedral, the Book Stop encourages reading and a passion for books and promotes the sharing of ideas through redistribution of books.
Bibliophiles, or even just the curious, can read books at the Book Stop for free or bring books from their own collection to share with others, in exchange of a book that is displayed there.
The library observes basic health and safety protocols and follows the guidelines of the Intramuros Administration, which it is under. These include the following:
- No mask no entry
- Maintain physical distance of at least one meter
- Observe proper hygiene
- Practice respiratory etiquette at all times
The pop-up “reserves the right to refuse entry to those who fail to comply with our basic safety procedures.”
For those who are planning to swap books, the Book Stop reminds the public that “books can only be exchanged with books” and it encourages people to exchange quality books so others can enjoy great stories and discover new ideas and information.
Food and drinks are not allowed inside the Book Stop. Smoking is also prohibited.
It also reiterates to the visitors to take care of the books and that “honesty is the best policy.”
The Book Stop, conceptualized in 2015 by WTA architects William Ti and Beverly Locsin, “explores how libraries need to evolve, attract and engage contemporary users, and promote reading for the next generations.”
It was first launched at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City for the Dia del Libro (International Book Day) in April 2016. The library then went around parts of Metro Manila for months at a time, including at Intramuros, Plaza del Carmen in Quiapo, Manila; Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa City, and Quezon City Memorial Circle before it returned to Intramuros’ Plaza Mexico in June 2017.
The Book Stop won two international awards in 2016—Architizer Award in New York and a shortlist to the World Architecture Festival in Berlin. It was also nominated for the Haligi ng Dangal Awards in 2018.