Manila, Philippines – The National Library of the Philippines (NLP) kickstarted the 36th celebration of the Library and Information Services Month (LISM) on November 4, 2026 at its NLP Auditorium.
Carrying the theme ASEAN-LINK (ASEAN Libraries: Integrating Networked Knowledge) for Culture, the opening ceremony highlighted how libraries transform into vibrant centers for public education while forging lasting bridges between local institutions and ASEAN information centers.
The LISM celebration was formally opened by Director Cesar Gilbert Adriano of the National Library of the Philippines. Also in attendance to offer a message of support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts on behalf of Chairman and Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo PhD is Dr. Jonavie S. Quiambao, vice-head of the NCCA National Committee on Libraries and Information Services (NCCA-NCLIS).
With emphasis on sustaining connections towards local and regional cultural preservation through libraries and archives, the NLP together with other ASEAN institutions have joined hands to pursue the aspirations of making resources more accessible to everyone, all while ensuring that they are able to maintain the symbols of culture, identity, and literacy.
Acclaimed actress and author Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan delivered a compelling keynote address, reminding everyone of the profound magic children’s books hold in shaping young minds and preserving enduring knowledge.
Laxa-Pangilinan addressed the beauty of using stories and books to enrich the minds of children as they are transported to the realm of wisdom. Drawing from her experience as a mother, author, and actress, she reminded the audience to look beyond digital screens, take time to read, and understand society through the resources available in public libraries.
In a unified push for cultural promotion, the NLP joined forces with government agencies and institutions, such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Presidential Communications Office (PCO), alongside grassroots library networks to spearhead the nationwide events.
The Philippine Barangay Dance Troupe also enraptured the audience with a vibrant showcase of traditional Filipino dances.
To celebrate the month-long observance, the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) has rolled out nationwide events and activities ranging from book bazaars, ‘Layb Chikahan’ sessions, and book theater concerts to webinars, workshops, ‘LISM at the Mall’ exhibits, and a book picnic at Lake Sebu, alongside a series of nationwide open contests.
With the celebration of LISM, the NLP and its partners seek to champion libraries as more than just reservoirs of books; they are repositories of knowledge and wisdom, spaces for continuous exchange, and touchpoints for cultural linking across borders; accessible and credible resources that nurture curiosity, spaces that encourage lifelong learning, and partners in navigating an increasingly digital world.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
 kickstarted the 36th celebration of the Library and Information Services Month (LISM) on November 4, 2026 at its NLP Auditorium. ){kind=link}