Have you been to a library with your children?

Prior to our field trip to this public library in our city, my children and I were able to visit the Pasig City Library for the first time. We went there while reviewing for the PEPT.

Thus, our visit to the Paranaque City Public Library last February was their second time to be at a library.

As usual, my eldest child, who is a bookworm like me was excited and overjoyed to be surrounded with a lot of books.

We went there to meet up with fellow homeschooling families. Our family also donated some books including a copy of my latest children’s book Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay.

We all met at the Children’s Section of the library.

Mrs. Cristina Villalada, the Head of the Children’s Section, was very gracious to us and gave us an orientation of what services they provide for the children who are patrons of their library.

The kids first watched a puppet show that was put up by the library staff.

After that, I did a storytelling activity with the kids using Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay.

After that, we were supposed to have a tour of the library. But the kids were so engaged either reading books or playing with the other kids.

So, my husband and I proceeded to donate a copy of my children’s book to the library.

We presented the copy to Mr. Cissette Ricardo, the Officer-in-Charge for the library.

Then, my husband and I toured the library with the Public Relations & Marketing Officer of the library, Ms. Marivic Catapang.

The library is a three-story building with a number of sections. They even have a mini theater and a conference room on the third floor that can be used for free by residents or library patrons as long as they make prior reservations.

They have board game sets in the Children’s Section and in the meeting room upstairs. Students and adults can play chess and other board games here. This is what I plan to organize for our homeschool group in the future. Hopefully, this summer.

She also introduced us to Mr. Arvie Hernandez, the library’s local historian, who is preparing for the materials for the Paranaque Museum which will also be house in the Paranaque City Public Library this year. We’re excited to come back to the library and learn from city museum.

I was impressed with their services.

Aside from the various sections that they have, I’m glad that they have programs for the residents of Paranaque that are truly helpful.

Let me share two of them:

Summer Reading Program – This is offered for free by the library. Their summer reading program has already started. They have several batches for this. But their summer reading program is already full. So, if you want your child to join their reading program next summer, make sure that you register early.

Computer Literacy Class – This is also offered for free by the library at their Information Technology Section. This program lasts for three months. It is held every Friday, 8 AM to 12 NN and 1 to 5 PM.

They also have STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks). Students can use this for free as well as part of their research or study when they visit the library.

STARBOOKS contents includes Science and Math Interactive Courseware, livelihood Videos, Investigatory projects, Academic Publications, and many more. 

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 5 to 6 PM, they have free Zumba which they call Zumbahan sa Bahay Aklatan at the building’s rooftop. This is open to everyone also!

You can read a brief history of the library here.

After our visit to the library, we went to SM Sucat (which is relatively nearby) to enjoy some fruit shakes.

It was another successful field trip for our family wherein we met new friends, we got to help through our donations and free storytelling session, we learned new things and discovered free resources provided by the city government.

I highly recommend this library to the residents of Paranaque.

Parents can save money in buying books by letting their kids read books during their library visit.

For inquiries, you may call the Paranaque City Public Library at 8251262. Their address is Col. E. De Leon, Wawa, Brgy. Sto. Nino, Paranaque City. You can find the library building beside a school.