Author Archives: janewee

China Continues their review of the Public Libraries Law

The draft was submitted to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for a second reading at the bi-monthly session, which runs from 30 Oct until 4 Nov 2017.

The draft states that modern technology should be integrated into public libraries, with more digital content and networks, to deliver better services to the public.   Some lawmakers have suggested that specific functions of the national library such as organizing the protection of ancient books, carrying out research and international exchanges on libraries, and providing guidance and technical support for libraries be included as functions of public libraries.

China has more than 3,100 government-run libraries and around 50 public libraries set up by citizens, enterprises and public institutions, social groups and other organizations, according to the Ministry of Culture.

 

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/31/c_136717591.htm

Reopening of Pasir Ris Public Library, the first Mall Library with a dedicated Teen Space in Singapore

Photograph - Public Libraries Standing Committee-Jane Wee

Pasir Ris Public Library reopens its doors to the public on 28 November 2015 after nine months of renovations. The library features versatile and distinct spaces to meet different user preferences and needs, enhancing the reading and learning experiences for all patrons.

Bird-Eye

It is now the first mall library with dedicated spaces for teenagers that have been created by their peers from the Inspiring Readers Society (a name which the pioneer team of 39 members, aged between 13 and 19 collectively decided). The aim of the society is to encourage engagement in content discovery, reading and discussions with their peers while also creating a sense of ownership of the library spaces among the teens.

IRS

These teenagers will be co-creating video trailers that recommend books that they like, made available for viewing by other teens visitors at the Book Tree in the library.

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They will be organising regular Hangout Sessions in the Mezzanine, where the members will share with other teenagers about any topic relating to a recommended book.

Teens

Teens and adults alike can interact with a Doodle Wall, where they can draw using their fingertips with the help of an interactive projector to facilitate live discussions through the use of visualisation. There are three such Doodle Walls in the library, the other two being located at the Programmig Area and the Early Literacy Section.

DoodleWall

Teens’ Mezzanine, conceptualised through feedback from teens and the public, was specially designed with movable furniture to enable teens the flexibility to create an environment conducive for in group activities such as group discussions and brainstorm sessions.

Pic1

Seats

Spaces to engage the wider community

Reading Terrace, with windows overlooking the Pasir Ris Park, features staggered platforms for casual reading and the use of natural light.

Terrace

Intense readers can indulge in solitude and a good book at the Quiet Reading Lounge with individual nooks.

QuiteReading

Nestled with comfortable casual seating, the Children’s Deck enables parents to emotionally bond with their children while engaging them in the world of knowledge and building the love for reading.

EarlyLit

Pasir Ris Public Library, located at the White Sands Mall is one of the 26 public libraries in Singapore. It was first opened to public on 6 October 2000 and currently served a population size of about 137,500.

 

Celebrating Singapore’s ‘growing up’ years of endeavours at work and play through a showcase of Legal Deposit Publications

Photograph - Public Libraries Standing Committee-Jane Wee

Singapore celebrates our 50 years of independence this year in 2015. We are indeed a very young country.

The celebrations had been ongoing in Singapore for the whole year. And like any other organizations in Singapore, the National Library Board of Singapore (NLB) had a series of exhibitions, reading festivals and film festivals, book launches and web archive launches since January 2015 to commemorate the nation’s jubilee year.

And on 20 November 2015, we launched PublicationSG, an online catalogue of over one million materials published in Singapore and deposited with NLB’s Legal Deposit. Contents would be available to the public upon their request. This collection includes printed and audio-visual publications such as books, annual reports, music scores, magazines, journals, posters, brochures, yearbooks, audiobooks, music sound and recordings. They cover a wide range of topics from fashion to food, festivities of bygone years, school and kampong days of our forefathers to trends in the entertainment world, popular hobbies and sporting pursuits, and many more.

From 20 November 2015 to 8 January 2016, we are showcasing a display featuring these treasured Singapore publications from our Legal Deposit Collection at the National Library Building. This display covers a wide range of titles from fashion to food, festivities of bygone years, school and kampong days of our forefathers to trends in the entertainment world, popular hobbies and sporting pursuits, a reminisce about Singapore’s ‘growing up’ years of endeavors at work and play.

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