Based on the data of the National Library of the Philippines, the country has 1,650 affiliated public libraries. With an estimated population of 114,000,000, there's only one library for every 69,000 Filipinos.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheeren Sy, a Singaporean architect affiliated with SM Supermalls, initiated the establishment of Book Nook. This open library, located at SM Aura Premier in Taguig City and opened in December 2020, offers a small space where individuals can read and contribute books.

In an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Sheeren Sy, shared the inspiration behind this project and the goal it aims to achieve for the common good of Filipinos.

According to Sheeren, the idea started when she saw an unmanned small shelf in Melbourne, Australia, where people can share books for free. From then on, she dreamt of bringing that concept to the Philippines.

"Wherever I go in the world, there's always a Filipino. And whenever I strike a conversation with them, they are loving, warm, curious, they want to help. There's the spirit of sharing, the ‘bayanihan.’ That spirit is very strong, especially overseas," Sy said. "Filipinos are very resilient and want to do good. They really want to share. And going back to why I started it, I felt so inspired to do it, because I really wanted to give them space to do that. Not just sharing books but sharing their talents."

She then partnered with WTA Architecture to design an inviting and relaxing space for people to go and read inside the mall. Strategically located on the third level of SM Aura Premier, near Toy Kingdom, Book Nook has become a space where families can bond through reading books or donating books.

Thanks to the generosity of SM employees, who donated their books during the inaugural year of the nook, along with contributions from various organizations, such as National Book Store, and gifts from friends and family, the library began with only 2,000 books. Presently, Book Nook boasts a collection exceeding 3,000 books across diverse genres. Readers of all ages frequent the space, engaging in both reading and contributing to the growing collection.

"The inspiration is to promote literacy," Sy, a mother of two children who love to read, said. "There's a rich opportunity for us to grow the world of literacy and learning with the local youth and community here."

Besides being a public library, Book Nook serves as an event venue where authors, artists, and readers come together to share their passion. It could be used for writing, reading, drawing or even performing.

"We had so many lovely people from the community sharing [their time and talents]. From reading, like storytelling, artists to dogs doing paw prints, bento making, to teachers," she shared. "One of the inspiring parts of surviving the pandemic was [realizing] how valuable our teachers are, and how it would be amazing if we could feature their skills. And it struck me that to really help the generation that is coming up, we need to provide a bridge for linking that cross generational skill sharing and that bayanihan spirit."

Moving forward, Sy and her team from SM Cares and SM Supermalls are looking forward to opening more Book Nooks in different SM Malls nationwide. The next one is happening in the first quarter of 2024 at Podium Mall. She even shared that she's working with different Filipino designers for every nook location to create unique designs for each place.

"The Book Nook is really a warm hug. It's simple, it's a place for connecting, for sharing, and for learning," she ended.