Little Free Library: Spreading the love for reading

CEBU, Philippines - Ayala Center Cebu opened its very own Little Free Library (LFL) last October 16, introducing mall patrons to the "take a book, return a book" philosophy that has raised the LFL advocacy to global acclaim.

Located at the fourth level of the mall's expansion wing, the open-air reading space takes after other LFL venues in different parts of the world - a library-cum-book exchange venue where anyone can take home a book or leave a book (or books) for others to enjoy.

Primed towards promoting the importance of reading and the value it plays in holistic development, the LFL advocacy started in the United States in 2009, when Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin crafted a model schoolhouse, filled it with books then put it on a post on his front yard.

He made the model schoolhouse/mini-library as a tribute to his mother, a schoolteacher who loved to read. Positive reception of the concept prompted Bol to make more mini-libraries, which, initially, had signs that said "Free Books". In time, the initiative grew into a nationwide advocacy then spread out to different parts of the world.

As of June 2016, there are over 40,0000 LFL venues in more than 70 countries. Last Sunday's opening of the LFL library/book exchange at the Ayala Center Cebu brings the total number of Ayala Mall LFLs to nine - UP Town Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Market! Market! and The District Imus. (FREEMAN)