by Municipal Librarian Leonarda D. Allado, RL
Librarian III
The Bayambang Municipal Library was established and opened in the 1950 during the administration of Mayor Leopoldo F. Aquino. It was operated under the supervision of the Mayor’s Office. This was organized through the initiative and assistance of the USIS Library, which was the first and regular donor of books and other library materials to this library. This library was affiliated with the National Library during the supervision of the Municipal Librarian, Mrs. Augustina Gomez, and automatically became a regular recipient of book allocation of the National Library, now the National Library of the Philippines.
In 1951, it was transferred to the Puericulture Center Building under the care of Mrs. Augustina Gomez. She managed the library until she retired in the year 1983.
In 1987, it was transferred again to the Municipal Hall at the second floor under the care of Mrs. Marina Matabang, followed by Mrs. Nida Mamaril, until yours truly was employed as a Municipal Librarian in the year 1990, in the administration of Mayor Calixto B. Camacho.
The library has two personnel. The circulating books came from the National Library of the Philippines, donations from the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center, Books from Asia, Association of Northern America under the initiative of yours truly, while some were purchased using local funds.
Hundreds of students from different institutions visit daily, since our town is one of the largest municipalities in the province of Pangasinan, several institutions of learning such as Pangasinan State University - College of Education, Bayambang National High School, St. Vincent Catholic School, Bayambang Central School, Montessori School, Mother Goose, and Marianne school.
Our book collections were latest edition copies, that is why students prefer to come and study in our library. Most of the time, our library was overloaded at the time it was just a room, but it was well ventilated and conducive to learning. Students even used to squat on the floor just to read and learn. It also had five units of computers with internet access.
Ten years ago, I envisioned our municipal library to be one that is a modern, dynamic public library system that can provide programs and services which are responsive to the varied and changing needs of the community. It should also serve as a venue where people can seek, obtain, and exchange information that can enhance their intellectual, cultural, spiritual, economic, and social pursuits.
Today, that vision is gradually fulfilled, when I suggested to our Municipal Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, to renovate the old Water Tank into a Municipal Library, which was more spacious and could accommodate more students. My suggestion was granted, and now it is a unique Municipal Library in the province of Pangasinan. I was overwhelmed knowing I was to work in a separate Municipal Library Building after 27 years in service.
Our new Municipal Library was blessed by local parish priest, Rev. Fr. Allen O. Romero, with Mayor Quiambao gracing the ribbon-cutting ceremony, on January 18, 2018. It is a two-story building with a computer area and Children's Section on the ground floor. A curved staircase leads to the second floor, where the reading area and book collections are located. It is fully air-conditioned.
Another distinction that the Bayambang Municipal Library holds is its collection of rare books. These include Pangasinan translations of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Agmo ak Didiwiten (Noli Me Tangere) by Jose Rizal
Di Nak Sagiden (Noli me Tangere) by Jose Rizal
Say Isusungpad Uley (El Filibusterismo) by Jose Rizal
Rizal (no author)
Ti Pilibusterismo by Jose Rizal
Mga Sinulatan sa Panghimanwa by Jose Rizal
Rizal ante los ojos de sus contemporáneos
The Letters of Apolinario Mabini
Colección de documentos ineditos relativos al descubrimiento, conquista y organización de las antiguas posesiones españolas de ultramar
Fort Santiago ni Pedrito Reyes
Poesias by Jose Rizal
Banaag at Sikat by Lope K. Santos
Bilay day Sisira ed Dalem na Danom tan Arom niran Sulsulat by Pedro U. Sison
El Legado de España a Filipinas by Encarnacion Alzona
Tagala Trilogy: A Pageant of the Filipino Race; The Long, Dark Night; Ang Paglilitis kay Gat Jose Rizal by Magtanggul Asa
The Library is a subscriber to World Books Online. It is also a Tech4Ed Library, meaning it caters to online queries on and requests for an array of government-issued documents.
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