Healthcare facility planned for site of Ang Mo Kio Public Library after it moves to AMK Hub

SINGAPORE – The site of Ang Mo Kio Public Library is set to house a healthcare facility after the library moves to AMK Hub shopping mall in 2026.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokeswoman for Link Asset Management, which manages AMK Hub, said the library will be located on the fourth storey of the mall, without elaborating.

Cathay Cineplexes was located on the fourth storey before it shuttered on June 30.

The current site of Ang Mo Kio Public Library has been zoned for health and medical care use, under the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025, which was unveiled on June 25.

Possible future uses for the 5,300 sq m site in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 could include a hospital, polyclinic, dental or medical clinic, veterinary clinic, nursing home or medical suite.

The National Library Board (NLB) announced the library’s relocation in a Facebook post on July 1, adding that library users can look forward to immersive and interactive experiences in the new space.

Ang Mo Kio Public Library opened in 1985 and went through upgrading works in 2002 and 2019. Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic is situated next to the library.

Ms Chantel Kismet, 37, said she would miss the comfort and familiarity of the library, as she used to attend a primary and secondary school nearby and would spend her afternoons there.

“I’m used to the way this library is categorised and it’s easy for me to find what I need. It’s a comfort being here, away from the hustle and bustle,” said Ms Kismet, who works as a doula (a non-medical professional who assists women during childbirth) and lives a 10-minute drive away from the library.

She said she takes her daughter, who is homeschooled, to the library every two weeks, and would spend about an hour picking out books to borrow.

“It’s become routine – we would visit the library and have chicken rice at the nearby coffee shop afterwards. I will miss this when the library moves,” she added.

Library users told ST they were concerned about the potential crowds at the library’s new space in AMK Hub in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, which is four bus stops away from its current site.

Student Teo Wenhui, 18, said she enjoys going to the current library, as she can usually find an available table to read or study at.

She noted that this may not be the case when the library moves to AMK Hub, as the mall has high footfall.

Mr Eugene Ho, 30, who works in food and beverage (F&B), said that while he will miss the nostalgia of the current library, the new site in AMK Hub could be more convenient.

“Sometimes I just want to drop off some books and it can be a hassle to take the bus here from the MRT station,” he said.

NLB said in its post that the library’s new site in AMK Hub is conveniently linked to Ang Mo Kio MRT station and bus interchange. It will have tall wall bookshelves and design features inspired by the iconic landmarks of Ang Mo Kio.

When ST visited AMK Hub on July 3, the fourth storey of the mall was cordoned off. A sign said the floor was closed for upgrading works.

Housewife Ivy Loo, 49, said she hoped that another cinema operator would replace Cathay Cineplexes. “My children are in their late teens and 20s. If we were to have a family outing, watching a movie would be preferred instead of going to a library,” she said.

Other fourth-storey shops that have closed include arcade operator Timezone and Western food chain Eighteen Chefs.

Link Asset Management told ST in June that it will be

reconfiguring the fourth-storey space

and repositioning the mix of tenants to better serve the community.

NLB did not provide more information when asked when the move will happen.

A listing by real estate firm ETC shows that a vacant F&B space for lease in the existing library has a lease term of until August 2026.

Another standalone library that will be moving to a shopping mall is Geylang East Public Library, which will be

relocated to the refreshed Tanjong Katong Complex in 2030

.

Other public libraries located in malls include those in VivoCity in HarbourFront, Nex in Serangoon and White Sands in Pasir Ris.