This Hidden Library in Makati Lets You Stay and Read Books for Free

No need to spend on coffee to study or work in peace.

Published on Jul 9, 2025

(SPOT.ph) We've all defaulted to coffee shops as our go-to third space for reading, working, or just escaping the house. What if we told you there's a quieter, cooler, and completely free alternative in Makati? At the corner of Rada Street and Legazpi Street is a hidden public library you'll want to check out.

You’ll find it quietly operating in the basement of the Union Church of Manila (UCM). Inside, there are more than 25,000 books and audio materials—everything from classics, fiction, non-fiction, popular magazines, Filipiniana, theology, and even the latest best-selling novels.

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Entrance to the basement is beside the TARDIS Free Library. Photo from UCM Library.

The space is quiet and air-conditioned, which is basically everything you need in a library. You’ll find desktops for public use, comfortable seating, and plenty of charging outlets. There’s even a children’s section with low shelves and board books. To check if the library has a book you’re looking for, visit www.ucmlibrary.com.

While anyone can walk in and read for free, regulars might want to consider getting a P200 annual membership. For the price of one coffee, it allows you to borrow up to five books at a time for two weeks, access the Wi-Fi, and return borrowed materials in a drop box at the entrance when the library is closed.

Also read: 10 Libraries in Metro Manila That Are Open to the Public

When to visit the UCM Library in Makati City

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There's plenty of desks for studying or working individuals. Photo from UCM Library.

The UCM Library is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s closed on Thursdays, Fridays, and holidays. All you will need to bring is a valid ID—just leave it with the guard at the entrance.

Opened in 2003, the library originally began as a women’s outreach ministry for the expatriate community. It now hosts storytelling sessions, film screenings, cooking demos, and even self-defense classes. If you’re just passing through, there’s a full-sized blue TARDIS at the entrance functioning as a Little Free Library where you take a book or leave a book with no conditions.

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There are also age-appropriate books for children. Photo from UCM Library.

Also read: Work or Study All Day for Under P300 at This Makati Library

Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself in a pole studio or napping with her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.

This Hidden Library in Makati Lets You Stay and Read Books for Free

When to visit the UCM Library in Makati City

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