29/08/2026
For some communities, the nearest library can be miles away. For a mobile library, that distance is the very problem it was designed to solve. By bringing books closer to schools, barangays, and communities, the initiative turns reading into something that can travel.
Carrying around 1000 books, the Ormoc City Traveling Library is bringing stories beyond the four walls of Ormoc City Public Library and Information Center and into the realm of various communities across the city.
Since its launch on April 14, 2026, the traveling library has served 14 barangays and 13 schools, turning ordinary community spaces into places where children and other Ormocanons can discover the joy of reading. On the day of its launch, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara attended the event along with other officials. He commended the Local Government Unit of Ormoc for its efforts in encouraging reading among children, noting that this is what their department aims to seekββto educate our people.β
Initiated by Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, the project aims to strengthen literacy and revive the culture of reading physical books in the age of artificial intelligence, while hoping to contribute to the vision of making Ormoc the βCity of Readers.β
The OCTL carries a variety of reading materialsβranging from fiction and nonfiction to general reference materialsβhelping readers of all ages choose a book that matches their current mood and interest.
More importantly, bringing a library on wheels to the community takes more than just hitting the road. It requires a methodical schedule to serve readers where they are.
During the summer, the OCTL stays in a scheduled community for five consecutive days, from Wednesday to Sunday. On weekends, it also makes an evening stop at the Ormoc City Plaza to provide additional opportunities for Ormocanons to browse and enjoy a good story. According to the OCPLIC, the initiative currently conducts school-based visits, spending three days in a school and one day in a barangay. This allows them to reach both students and other members of the community while making reading opportunities within reach.
Beyond its regular visits, the Traveling Library also relies on community support and synergy to keep the wheel running. Through its partnership with the Volunteers Management and Coordination Office (VMCO), the program has volunteers who assist during community and school visits.
The public can likewise contribute to the program by donating books. The Ormoc City Public Library and Information Center accepts donations that go through the proper evaluation, documentation, and acknowledgment. These help expand their collections and provide a myriad of reading materials for the community they serve.
Of course, a far-reaching innovation is not without its obstacles. One of the biggest challenges of the OCTL is the weather, especially during rainy days. For barangays and schools lacking sheltered areas, the Traveling Library sometimes needs to pull out and close to protect the books.
Another challenge is limited staffing, with the team responsible for setup, facilitating activities, and assisting readers during the visit. Even when the road gets difficult, the support of the VMCO and its volunteers continues to make things possible for Ormocanons.
Moreover, inventory and monitoring of books is an important responsibility they can never take for granted, as carefully checking and accounting for all the books after every activity or visit are measures necessary for properly maintaining the sustainability of the materials.
In todayβs screen-filled world, physical books have become more important than ever. Every page carries a story worth preserving, so we must not lose the magic found within it. This is not to resist change but to preserve something that is irreplaceable and unparalleled. The Ormoc City Traveling Library offers a simple invitation: slow down, open a book, and get lost in the story.
______
(by Nash Casunggay | Plumeria)
