Since 1996, the Filipinas Heritage Library has served as a leading one-stop electronic library of Filipiniana books and other resources. Today, FHL continues to reach out to a much wider audience by harnessing the power of the Internet to provide researchers anywhere in the world access to the wealth of information it offers; promoting a love of reading and contributing to the improvement of literacy rates through educational programs and reading campaigns; instilling a sense of pride in the country’s cultural and artistic heritage through exhibits and cultural shows; and helping communities across the nation build and nurture their own libraries.

To celebrate its 15th year, FHL is introducing several new projects that show its commitment to engaging audiences that are usually beyond the reach of most traditional library services.

Among the new projects that FHL is introducing are Filipiniana Online, which makes some of FHL’s rare books and materials available on the Internet; the Online Filipino-English Dictionary, which has as many as 30,000 entries, and features words in Filipino, their English equivalent, and sample sentences; and Project 50KB, a campaign to collect 50,000 or more children’s books to be brought to schools all over the country.

FHL also reaffirms its commitment to helping communities and public schools establish their own libraries through MyLibrary. As FHL’s flagship project, MyLibrary invites local government and education officials, community members, and private individuals and organizations to work with FHL in helping barangays and public schools have their own libraries, which can foster a culture of reading, contribute to improving the literacy skills of young and adult residents, and celebrate local culture and history.

Inaugurated on August 23, 1996, the Filipinas Heritage Library was the Ayala group of companies’ gift to the nation on the occasion of the centennial of the Cry of Pugadlawin. FHL is housed in the Nielson Tower, the former control tower of one of Asia’s first airports, and also the oldest building in the Makati Central Business District.

FHL is part of the art, history, and culture division of Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), one of the leading corporate foundations in the country today. FHL’s 15th anniversary coincides with Ayala Foundation’s 50th anniversary.