The little free library with big dreams

YOUNG readers are treated to a Christmas party. In back row are Librohan steward Teresa and her husband Manuel Ragasa Jr. Their daughter, Jay Andrea, is third from left in the second row.

Four years ago, my mother had a thought that inspired her so much—building a coffee shop. She talked about it day and night until we realized it was more than just a thought.

So we laid out plans to build the coffee shop. We had its structure designed by my father, a civil engineering graduate. We hired the carpenters—carefully chosen from several in town—to build it. And, when it was finally finished after so much hard work, we hired somebody to keep shop.

My mother’s dream had come true, except nobody bought coffee. The shop stood useless for a long time.

The summer I turned 18, my mom and I had to find a place for my old storybooks. We could not just throw them away. So they ended up in the coffee shop.

And then another thought hit us—buildings were meant to be used, books were meant to be used and, most of all, young minds were meant to be used.

We opened the gate to the coffee shop and gathered kids from around town. Thus was Kay Ngitngit Man Librohan, Little Free Library born.

For the first few days, kids would not come to the library unless they were encouraged by the trusty “town crier,” Loy Rafanan. Soon, the library became a habit.

CHILDREN take turns reading stories and poetry.

The children enjoyed reading silently under the guidance of the hired assistant librarians, Abegail and Manang Margie.

They found it more fulfilling to read in the library than to bring the books home, although it was totally fine with us if they took a book out, any book, as long as they returned it.

When our library was fully operational, we had it registered and paid the charter fee of $34.95. It is now officially listed on the global Little Free Library map.

Not just books

To get the kids even more motivated to visit the library, we have started holding different educational activities. We read stories to the children and ask them guide questions during and after the storytelling session.

The children are also asked to take turns reading stories and poems. We hold mini quiz bowls, discussing the answer to every question after somebody has correctly guessed it or if nobody can give the right response.

THIS hut is the only library registered with Little Free Library in Wisconsin, United States. Standing at left is the author, who is head librarian.

We give the young library patrons word-search puzzles and hand them lyrics to songs they can sing as a group, with me as accompanist on the keyboard. We play all kinds of games and also have film showings.

We also bring different groups of kids on field trips. We have visited Fort San Pedro (a Cebu landmark built for military defense by the Spaniards) and plan to go next to Museo Sugbo (the provincial museum).

In each of these activities, we make sure to include lessons from the Bible. Before and after each activity, we pray.

Managing the library would have been tough if not for the tangible and intangible donations from so many generous people.

We used to hire assistant librarians but now so many kids, teens and young adults volunteer to do the job for free. We thank assistant librarians Ja Labajo, Dik Labagala, Laica Rafanan, Bona Tabar, Ana Tabar, AG Delicano, Jessa Sabalones, Gio Canton, Johann Canton and CJ Castro.

The library used to have only our own books but now it has reading materials donated by people like Elsa Abiera, Tina Bagaipo, Risa Palacio, Lori Ambalong, Rachel Fromm, Cathy Ancheta, Myla Canton, Sean Singco, Menchu Dalwood, Bambi Hall, Jun Canton, Sheila Canton, Ed Canton and Nenita Reyes.

Databasing the library files became easier after Tito Caloy Canton, the man behind the library name, donated a computer as well as books.

One of the most memorable donations was money for a Christmas party from Lola Eileen Villacillo. We had a feast, a nativity role-play with costumes, a song-and-dance presentation and games. We even distributed party favors!

Brighter future

In our town, people do not really have high ambitions. Almost everyone, although unable to support a family, becomes a parent early in life. We want to make our

IT’S OFFICIAL! Kay Ngitngit Man Librohan is on the global LFL map.

library patrons realize that they can opt for a different future by letting them see the value of literacy.

As a Science major and head librarian I make sure our educational activities promote a scientific kind of literacy. I value Science. It led me to discover the light at the end of the tunnel that is God. That is why the Word of God is at the center of all our activities.

We hope that Kay Ngitngit Man Librohan, Little Free Library will also let the kids see the light.

“Kay ngitngit man” means “because it is dark” in English. It comes from one of my favorite stories—the story about my mother and her brother.

When my mother, Teresa, was 6 years old, she received a Mickey Mouse watch from her father that she didn’t wear much, so her father gave it to his favorite son, Caloy.

Then barely 2 years old, Caloy would jump out of bed early in the morning to wear the watch. When people would ask him for the time, he would say, “Kay ngitngit man.” It wasn’t that he couldn’t tell time; the darkness was to blame. His witty excuse would make everyone laugh.

DONATED encyclopedia

The story tells us that being illiterate is amusing, but only if you are a toddler.

We hope our Librohan will stay and attract more kids, kids-at-heart and even the not-really-kids-at-heart that it can serve or inspire to serve.

We plan to keep Kay Ngitngit Man Librohan, Little Free Library going, growing and, most of all, glowing for years to come.

Our library can never have too many donors of material and nonmaterial gifts. So anything you have that you think can make a child smile will be welcome. And we’ll thank you for it.

Jay Andrea C. Ragasa is a second-year BS Biology student at the University of the Philippines Cebu. The Librohan is at 458 Kilawan, Barangay Tanke, Talisay, Cebu. Call or text 0916-5297300 for more information. Like them on Facebook: Kay Ngitngit Man Librohan, Little Free Library.