MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In celebration of its 40th anniversary, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, wrapped up the Book Nook Book Donation Drive with an inspiring show of community spirit, collecting over 70,000 pre-loved books across 88 SM malls nationwide. The initiative brought together thousands of Filipinos in a shared mission to spark the joy of reading and promote lifelong learning.
From Spark to movement
“When SM celebrated its 40th anniversary, the focus was not on grandeur, but on purpose: to transform this spirit of sharing into a full-fledged Book Nook Book Donation Drive,” shared Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano, Director of the National Library of the Philippines. “From that spark, the journey truly took root, born from a shared belief that stories are gifts meant to be passed on.”
From July 7 to October 15, 2025, mallgoers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao donated books of all kinds — from children’s stories and educational materials to novels and reference titles — to benefit public libraries and community reading spaces across the country.
The reach of this initiative speaks volumes: the Book Nook Book Donation Drive has enriched 88 libraries and reading centers nationwide, including 74 affiliated public libraries in Luzon, 7 in the Visayas, and 7 in Mindanao. This collective effort will benefit an estimated 219,936 students, families, and educators, transforming libraries into vibrant hubs where learning thrives and stories come alive.
SM City Bacolod and its community delivers 5,600+ books to the Provincial Library of Negros Occidental —bringing stories closer to the community.
SM City Novaliches joins the nationwide Book Nook Book Donation Drive, turning over boxes of pre-loved books to local communities and schools to spread the joy of reading and learning.
Celebrating Literacy and community partnership
The culmination of the drive was marked by a ceremonial turnover held on November 27, 2025, at the National Library of the Philippines, where SM Cares formally turned over the collected books to its 88 partner library communities.
The event stood as a milestone celebration of how the Book Nook program continues to strengthen literacy and learning through accessible, community-based reading spaces located in SM malls nationwide.
“Through the Book Nook, we hope to nurture curiosity and creativity in every Filipino,” said Shereen T. Sy, Pioneer of the Book Nook program under SM Cares. “This initiative shows us how collective action can create lasting impact — one book, one reader, one community at a time.”
The youth remain at the heart of the Book Nook Book Donation Drive—equipping future generations with knowledge and learning opportunities through the gift of books.
Book Nook honors librarians nationwide who champion the love of reading and transform libraries into vibrant centers of learning.
Honoring the champions of literacy
During the turnover, Book Nook also recognized exemplary public librarians who have gone above and beyond in fostering literacy and learning in their communities. The Heart of the Library Award for Most Outstanding Librarian was presented to Michael “Aiko” Nagas of the City Library of San Fernando, La Union, for her dedication to making books and knowledge accessible to all.
Meanwhile, the Literacy Partner Award was presented to outstanding librarians across the country, including Rosena Roman of the City of Imus Public Library, Easter Wahayna-Pablo of the Baguio City Public Library, Mylene Villanueva of the Manila City Library, and Michael Pinto of the Cagayan Provincial Learning and Resource Center. These individuals were honored for their invaluable efforts in promoting reading, cultivating lifelong learning, and inspiring their communities to grow through knowledge.
This milestone is more than a celebration—it’s a promise. SM Cares remains dedicated to empowering future generations through literacy and learning. Through initiatives like Book Nook, we aim to nurture curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Learn more at https://linktr.ee/smbooknook or follow @OfficialSMCares and @SMBookNook.
