The National Library Reopens A New Children’s Section in Honor of National Children’s Month

Need to find a screen-free activity to encourage a love for reading? Find it here in the National Library’s Children Section!

Libraries may be outdated with artificial intelligence (AI) doing all the searching and gathering for us. But AI can only gather information found on the internet—not in books. Last November 7, 2025, to commemorate National Children’s Month, the National Library reopened its Children’s Section with a new, refurbished appearance that had been long overdue.

The National Library also has no entrance fee. Just make sure to bring a valid ID! They’re also open only on Mondays to Fridays, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Have Kids “Stopped” Reading?

Kids haven’t really stopped reading. It’s the medium that’s changed; we often associate reading with paper books. But Millennials grew up reading Tumblr, Wattpad, and Fanfiction stories on desktop computers. Gen-Z had tablets and e-book readers. Generation Alpha is now instructing AI to generate a story for them to read—so long as they prompt it right, of course.

But that was an inevitable change. When the magical window of light connected us to other families and cultures across the globe through a spell called the internet, we found stories everywhere. No matter how mundane or tea-rrific, it somehow reached our ears even if we didn’t know them personally.

So no, kids didn’t stop reading. They just read from a different medium.

The Charm and Pitfalls of Libraries

But there’s still a charm in libraries. In fact, it’s been the common magic found in Disney movies—especially in Beauty and the Beast. Perhaps that scene where the Beast gifts Belle an entire library to read from is why many still dream of having their own home library.

Unfortunately, managing a library at home can be tricky. The dust, the temperature to preserve the paper, and also the space it takes up. While some have advised architects and interior designers to hollow out part of their home’s wall to create a built-in shelf, some are not allowed as they live in condos.

Books can feel like “clutter” when they don’t have a “re-read” value. It’s probably why e-books became such a hit. However, the ads found in videos and paywalls can be absolutely discouraging. But how else will the website keep running to release books?

That’s why libraries will never be irrelevant. At one point, the kids will want a break from the cyber noise and look for good ‘ol fashioned reading without the ads.

During the reopening, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, along with distinguished guests, advocates of literacy, children’s book authors, and children from the Philippine Normal University and Malate Catholic School, who have long supported the Library’s programs and initiatives, graced the event.

Who Knows? Maybe We’ll Find Our Childhood Stories Too!

We’ve associated reading as a childhood hobby when it should be a lifetime one. As parents, we have to keep reading and learning. Otherwise, how else would we connect with our kids? We suffer disconnections because we end up lost in translation. It’s not because we don’t want to connect. Work, school, and other necessities still need to be sustained.

For working parents, here’s a trick we think might help: apply for leave, mention it at least a day before, and then place all the group chats you’re involved in on “mute” for the next 24 hours. That way, you won’t be pressured and you’ll have time to read with the kids. It may feel anxiety-inducing at first, but trust us—it’ll get easier over time, especially when your kids start beaming up at you instead of their phones.

Plus, who knows? Maybe you’ll find your childhood story sitting in one of the shelves of the National Library. It’s the perfect opportunity to share the stories you grew up with your little ones!

For those who are wondering, the National Library of the Philippines is at T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. It’s also within Luneta Park.

More about kids reading?

Revisiting the Classics: Why Nostalgic Stories Still Resonate
4 Tips to Encourage Kids Read Books
Classic Books For Boys and Young Men To Read