Aklatang Balmaseda is open again!

The year is off to a great start for book worms, as another library opens it doors!

The Balmaseda Library or better known as Aklatang Balmaseda has reopened its doors on JP Rizal Street at Malacanang Compound in Manila to those interested in the Filipino language.

It has a collection of more than 5000 printed books, including the Balmaseda collection, the Villanueva Collection, Aklat ng Bayan, and reference materials.

According to a press statement, the Aklatang Balmaseda is a special library that responds to the mandate of the Komisyon sa Wikang Pilipino with regard to the continuous development, enrichment, dissemination, and preservation of the Filipino language and other Philippine languages.

"Nangangalaga itó ng mga aklat pangwika, pangkultura, pampanitikan, at iba pang mahalagang koleksiyong Filipiniana," it said.

Aklatang Balmaseda also has an online portal where researchers can access 700 e-books for their preliminary research.

At the moment, the library can accommodate 10 researchers at a time. Librarian Armand Ople told GMA News Online on email that interested visitors don't need to prebook to use the library but "kinakailangan lang pong mag-fill-out ng form para sa pagpasok/paggamit ng aklatan," he said.

In case you're wondering the Aklatang Balmaseda is named after Julian Cruz Balmaseda, a former director of the Institute of National Language, now the KWF, for his contributions to the Filipino language.

The library is open from Monday to Thursday, 8am-5pm.

— LA, GMA Integrated News

BFB Building, 1575 JP Laurel St., Cor. Matienza, Brgy. 640, Malacañang Complex, San Miguel, 1005 Manila. Website