Q&A with Shereen T. Sy, pioneer of SM Book Nook
For now, only two malls out of 87 SM malls in the Philippines have them. It is an undertaking that began at one of the poshest malls owned by the Sy family—the late business mogul Henry Sy’s sons and daughters who topped the 2024 Forbes
Philippines’ 50 Richest list, with a net worth of US$13 billion (PhP750.4 billion).
Much has been written about Book Nook, a bite-sized community library and learning hub that first opened at upscale SM Aura on 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years later, on August 15, 2024, a second branch was launched at the fifth level of SM Podium along ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong City.
It was Singaporean architect and mother of two Shereen T. Sy who first thought of Book Nook in 2019, born out of years of observation and experiences of living overseas.
The wife of Hans “Chico” Sy Jr.—president of SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. (SMEDD) and son of Hans Sy Sr., retired president of the SM Group’s property arm SM Prime Holdings—is quick to add that Book Nook is a product of the strength and perseverance behind the collective contributions of SM Cares, SM Malls Branch Management, SM Engineering & Design, and SM Online.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Philippines Graphic takes a closer look at the making of Book Nook in a Question-and-Answer interview with Shereen T. Sy.
PHILIPPINES GRAPHIC: What gave you the idea to open a Book Nook?
SHEREEN T. SY: Growing up in Singapore & Australia. I’ve always gravitated towards the library or a bookstore. The National Library by Arch. Ken Yeang, Library on Orchard Road and a little unmanned community bookshelf in Australia stirred the beginnings of Book Nook’s inception. The idea of a community library had been brewing for some time. And from the initial concept to execution, it took around a year and half to birth the first Book Nook in SM Aura Premier.
Perhaps, it is a combination of being a mother and an architect. One of our nightly family rituals is for our children to pick a book to read together. My children did not love reading on the get go. Rather they loved the connection, the giggles, laughter and the silliness within the book or perhaps the parent. This was what we enjoyed together. I felt the Book Nook having a similar essence, a space where adults & children can read together. Not in digital or physical isolation. A space where people can find solace, inspiration, laughter and connection.
I felt passionately about highlighting the talents of Filipino architects and integrating design into the philosophy of the space. We found a like-minded partner architect (WTA Architects) to journey with us in the SM Aura Premier library. And our first meeting took place in June 2019. The pandemic in early 2020 threw us a curved ball and we waited until December 2020 to launch the library. With face masks & face shields as the norm, I recall the day, feeling a mixture of excitement, relief, gratitude and the palpable sense of the community coming together, amidst each individual’s uncertainty and anxiety at the time.
Why did you name the place Book Nook?
If you google Book Nook, it is by no coincidence that you’ll find many Book Nooks around the world. And you may wonder, why would we choose a name that is being used by so many? Growing up, I took the libraries available around me for granted as it was always available and interwoven into the urban fabric of society.
Beyond being a space for books, I experienced libraries as being a safe haven for communities to gather, connect, collaborate & share in their collective heritage. I saw the library as a space for being something beyond ourselves. A space where we are part of this universal intention to create cozy, safe nooks for learning.
The dream is for Book Nook to continue contributing to the development of our children. We aim to inspire others to create more safe spaces where reading can be enjoyed. And this feeling of being a life-long learner is shared, celebrated and experienced.
How many people were involved in Book Nook?
Many teams have come together to support the birth of this endeavor. There were collaborations with WTA Architecture, led by Architect William Ti Jr., The Book Stop Project Arch. Beverly and Arch. Bruce, SM Aura Premier Marketing, led by Stephanie Dela Peña and team, and SM Cares, Royston Cabunag, Richard Caluyo and team.
This collaborative effort of architects, designers, teachers, marketing team, operations staff, and SM leaders have been vital to the project’s success and I would love for the (Book Nook) story to reflect the collective contributions of everyone involved, celebrating their roles. From the project’s inception to the development of our internal community of advocates, it is thanks to their combined efforts that we can continue to grow.
The members of the Book Nook team included 12 people: Richard Caluyo, SM Cares AVP for Marketing; Joaquin San Agustin, EVP for Marketing; Dan Alvin Neria, Regional Marketing Head and nine women—Chriszen Joy Villanueva, SM Cares Marketing Officer; Kristel Jade Oczon, SM Cares Marketing Officer; Alexis-Victoria Verzosa, SM Podium Marketing Officer; Abigail Joyce Wang, SM Podium Senior Marketing Manager; Acee Cardenas, Visual Display and Design Manager; Ma. Aireen Lara Javillo, Visual Display and Design Officer; Kimberlie Refuerzo, SM Cares Marketing Manager, Ariane Jenine B. Reyes, Marketing Officer; and Margarita M. Catalan, Regional Marketing Head Assistant Vice President.
As an architect and as a mother, how did you feel when the first Book Nook was finally set up?
Seeing the Book Nook come to life has been very fulfilling. I envisioned a space where multi-generational families can bond over stories shared, where children discover the joys of reading and where communities come together to share their knowledge. As a mother, I’ve enjoyed witnessing these little moments in the past four-and-a-half years, when a child returns to Book Nook to finish a story or when they donate a book to exchange. As an Architect, it has been very fulfilling to see this initiative grow from the ground up and how it has brought together the collaborative Bayanihan spirit of the SM Team, designers & industry partners.
In a day or in a week, how many people visit Book Nook?
On the average, Book Nook receives hundreds of visitors daily. Our visitors vary depending on the day and the events we hold. What has been consistent though has been the supportive feedback & engagement from the Book Nook community.
What do you find most lovable about the people who frequent Book Nook?
All kinds of learning can happen in Book Nook. As it goes beyond book reading. We’ve hosted activities like Tikoy making, journaling, animation, self-publishing, terrarium making and baybayin workshops. It has been wonderful meeting people that align with our passion for growing literacy and to collaborate with like-minded partners who believe in this vision.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Book Nook is seeing how visitors naturally respect and appreciate the space. They leave notes in books, recommend titles to others, and even donate their favorite reads so others may enjoy them.
What resources (books, capital, etc.) would a person need to set up a Book Nook in their community?
At its core, Book Nook thrives on community support. To set up a similar initiative, one would need: A dedicated space (it doesn’t have to be large, just a welcoming corner for books and comfortable seating & good lighting for reading); Books (Donations from individuals, schools, or organizations can help start the collection); A system for book sharing (this can be informal or more structured, depending on resources); Community Involvement—people who believe in the project and can help sustain it; A team of dedicated individuals sharing the same vision—architects, operations, marketing teams—it truly takes an entire mall committed to the cause; and partners who share the same passion and vision to keep the project sustainable
The first two Book Nook sites were housed in SM Malls catering to relatively affluent communities. Do you have plans to house future Book Nook sites in malls servicing middle-income communities?
Yes. Expanding Book Nook to more diverse communities is part of the vision. We are in the process of launching additional Book Nook locations, including SM Seaside City Cebu, SM North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia. Being able to read and have access to books should not be a luxury but a necessity.
Malls are unique in the Philippines as they serve a greater purpose within the community. Be it retreating from the heat, celebrating family mass together, or providing disaster relief. The goal is to bring the love of reading to as many people as possible, ensuring the initiative reaches various social groups. A Book Nook in every mall because malls are not just shopping centers, but also places of learning.
