Clementi Public Library: Officially opens 23 April, 2011

Clementi residents have waited for about five-plus years for a public library near their homes.

With the official opening of Clementi Public Library (CMPL) on Saturday, 23 April 2011, it has brought the total number of public libraries in Singapore to 24.

The ChannelNewsAsia, 23 Apr 2011 quoted the Trade and Industry Minister, Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, who officiated the opening:

Speaking at the opening of the library, Mr Lim highlighted the importance of public libraries in Singapore's development.

"We must pay tribute to the library. It has been a very progressive organisation. Over the years, it has done so many brand new things and has been innovating in many ways to reach out to Singaporeans and improve their reading habits," he said.

Visitorship for Singapore's 24-strong network of public libraries is estimated at 13 million per year, while books loaned numbered 31 million, according to Mr Lim.

My colleagues should record his remarks as official compliments!

The NLB CE, Mrs Elaine Ng, adds:

"Libraries are social learning spaces that draw and unite people across all ages and cultures...the new services at the Clementi Public Library are part of our efforts to promote reading and make books and other information resources accessible to all our users."

LINK

I discovered this blogger, quite likely a Singaporean, who was even more succinct:

The library opens today. Very popular, quite crowded but well managed.

Brief comment, but no less important. Ultimately, it's the residents who will be using the public library. Or not.

Over at the HardwareZone forum, there are even more succinct comments (Singaporean trademark? heh).

Here are pictures I took on the opening day (some shots show the obvious Before/ After scenes, as you'll see):

8.30am: The public were already asking if they could go into the library.


A view into the library, from the entrance:


The self-check machines are to the right (off picture):


Very cool looking book/ item displays:


One of the highlights of CMPL -- the Faces of Clementi showcase:








The Children's section:






Another highlight of CMPL -- the Digital Storytelling Kiosk. Selected eBooks and games (from Tumblebooks) are featured on this console.


All quiet on the library front... until the library-enthusiasts enter!




The Programme Zone (which is unusual for a mall library to have one; the space doubles up as a reading area when there are no programmes):


The magazine section:


The newspapers reading area:


Another highlight of CMPL -- Mystery Brown Bags. You pick a bag (you're not supposed to peek in to the bag), check out the item, then discover what's the book in the bag. When done reading, return the item with the bag via the bookdrop.

The picks are from library staff and volunteers. There are different themes each time. It's a way to target the lunch-time crowd who wish to read but can't stay in the library to browse and choose. Or those who wish to be surprised and expand their reading tastes.


In my view, what's cool is that it's a social experiment of sorts. For instance, how would readers take to the service? Would people return the bag (or just the book?) Will this encourage the busy lunch-time crowd to pick a book? What sort of problems will materialise, if any? What opportunities would be created from this?

Here's a shot of Friends of the Library being briefed and assigned duties for the opening:


And then, the Guest of Honour arrives...


... greeted with a thunderous welcome by students from Singapore Polytechnic, Japanese Taiko Drums club:


9.30am, thereabouts. The library opens to public. The place got busy and crowded in a matter of minutes.


Orderly crowd, as far as I could tell. Btw, the "aunties" will always be there but they were better-behaved this time. I couldn't resist mentioning that episode because I wanted to put the entire matter in context: those ungracious few probably numbered 10 or so, compared to the 31 million of civic-minded users who pass by the public library gates in FY2010. From that perspective, I'd say the vast majority of library users in Singapore are gracious people. I'm sure I speak for my colleagues when I say we thank them for it.











Not least, the Read and Reap initiative, offline (Web 2.0 in action, without the Tech!):

Book Exchange 2011

I was roped in to help at this year's event, which was on Saturday, 16 Apr.



ChannelNewsAsia reports: Over 77,000 books exchanged in a day

SINGAPORE: A project for book lovers to refresh their collection and help save the environment at the public libraries is drawing huge support.

The Book Exchange on Saturday attracted more than 7,000 people, with over 77,000 books exchanged.

Chief Executive of the National Library Board, Mrs Elaine Ng, said this shows that people still love books and reading.

To participate, members of the public had to drop their used books at any public library from April 2 to 15.

A coupon was given for every book accepted.

On April 16, the coupons were presented at the National Library Building for a one-for-one exchange of books collected from other participants.

LINK

They weren't kidding when they said "huge support". My colleagues said the morning queue, before the event started, snaked round the big National Library building twice.

This was the scene when I arrived at 12.30pm.


Volunteers, comprising of staff and Friends of the Library, were briefed on our respective duties. We were told of the layout and various logistics and measures put in place.


My duty area was "The Store":


In between my duties, I went round to take some pictures. The place was utterly packed.




Sadly, there were some ungracious people who grabbed all they can -- but not what they needed. Then they sat down in their own space sorting out their "treasures". Which would still have been OK, except that they left their unwanted pile on the ground. Tsk.

Still, it was heartening to see the majority who were well-behaved and orderly.






At one point, one person came up to me. Asked what the event was about. He said he wasn't from Singapore. So I explained. He was impressed that the Public Libraries were doing this. During my rounds, I saw at least one other foreigner asking similar questions.






Library staff (from various other groups and divisions) were also helping out. Here's a shot of the exit point, where books and accompanying tickets were counted and exchanged.


At around 6pm, only these carts were left.


End of event. Staff all chipped in to pack up.


I think about an hour later, the Event Plaza was cleared.


Until next year!

Two Public Libraries outreach events: MOE ExCEL Fest and Active Ageing Carnival

Should've posted this on 2 Apr...

My colleagues from the Public Libraries were at the Suntec Convention Centre early this month, for two outreach events that happened in the same week. I went down on Sat, 2 Apr, to say Hi to my colleagues.

MOE ExCEL Fest 2011 (1-2 Apr)
The MOE ExCEL Fest is organised yearly by the Ministry of Education (MOE). It's a showcase of innovative practices in schools. The event aims to let parents and the general public learn more about the latest developments in schools.


I saw Primary and Secondary schools, as well as Junior Colleges and Polytechnics at the event. Didn't hang around long enough to properly check out the booths. But I saw reading programmes, lesson plans, student projects etc.


The ExCEL Fest's first day was for teachers and MOE staff only. The second day, Saturday, was open to the public.

The library booth was there for both days.


My colleague, Robin, observed that more teachers and parents were asking more indepth questions about the library digital resources (databases and eBooks). A year ago, they probably asked general questions (e.g. "How do I access?"). Now, the questions were more specific (e.g. "Why aren't certain titles available?") that suggested they had actively used the resources and had specific suggestions/ feedback.


Two of my colleagues spoke, at different presentations, on the second day. Unfortunately their event were just over when I arrived. I was delighted to see one of the event ("Raise-A-Reader") fully subscribed.


Active Ageing Carnival (1-3 Apr)
This annual event was organised by the Council for Third Age.


The event blurb says:

The Active Ageing Carnival 2011 will help seniors discover their inner Fun-atic! This annual event is back this April with three full days of fun and exciting programmes. There is clay craft, glass art, Kangoo Jumps—the world’s lowest impact exercise shoes— and an obstacle course designed to build confidence. There is always something for every active ager at the Carnival.

From what I saw, I thought they certainly achieved the "discover the inner fun" part.

The place was packed.


The library booth was particularly so, which was an excellent sign. Books were being issued at such a brisk pace that I could only barely manage to exchange a few words with my colleagues on duty.


Senior citizens visiting the carnival were issued a little book. If they collected the required stamps (by visiting and "playing" at the various booths), they stood to win prizes. Or, I think they were instantly given some gifts.


I think this was the first time there were two major outreach events happening at the same venue.

From the public library's perspective, they were just two of the hundreds (in total) of outreach events conducted each year. Part of the job of public library staff and librarians.