SINGAPORE - Sembawang Public Library has reopened after seven months of renovation and upgrading, with a fresh design, and books that cater to a wider range of ages.
Taking inspiration from Sembawang's rich shipyard and shipbuilding history, the refurbished library at Sun Plaza shopping mall features spaces modelled after shipping containers, where visitors can sit and read.
It also has a reading deck for young families, where parents and children can read together.
The library will be the second public library in Singapore, after Jurong Regional Library, to have a designated early literacy collection. This caters to children aged six and below. The collection will contain books that focus on playing, talking, singing, reading and writing, which help in children's early learning and development.
Visitors who wish to go digital can access magazines and local newspapers on e-reading devices as well. They will be able to zoom in on pages or increase print size for easy reading.
The facility will also be the first heartland library where users can collect reserved titles from designated lockers beyond its opening hours, which are 11am to 9pm daily except on public holidays.
Said National Library Board chief executive Elaine Ng: "By involving our regular visitors in the redevelopment, we hope it brings the library closer to their hearts.
"We have tapped on the heritage of Sembawang for our design and also listened to our users in creating a unique library experience for the community."
