1°25′41.4″N 103°50′10.0″E / 1.428167°N 103.836111°E / 1.428167; 103.836111

Yishun Public Library (Simplified Chinese: 义顺社区图书馆), is a public library located in Yishun in the North Region of Singapore. It is currently located at Level 4, North Wing of Northpoint City[1] and serves the areas of Yishun, Khatib and Canberra. The target community includes residents of Chong Pang, Nee Soon Central, Nee Soon East and Nee Soon South.[2]

History

1998-2008: Official Opening

Yishun Public Library was first opened on 26 February 1998 by Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, then Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC. Its original location was on the third level of the former Sembawang Town Council building at Block 290 Yishun Street 22, Singapore 760290.[3] The library was closed on 13 October 2008 following plans to move community libraries into malls.[4]

2008-2017: Relocation

The library was soon reopened to the public on 14 November that year, in a new location within the fourth level of Northpoint City's new extension wing and now closer to Yishun MRT station.[5] The floor area of the new site doubled to approximately 2000 square meters with seating capacity for 220 people, compared to 60 previously. The updated collection consists of 150,000 books, 350 magazine and 10 newspaper titles, with 57 per cent of the entire collection being newly acquired.[6] A new Café Galilee also opened within the library premises. The cafe later closed down in 2014.

2017-Present: Renovation

On 15 January 2017, Northpoint City underwent a mall-wide overhaul as part of a refurbishment and Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI).[7] During this time, the library also carried out its own renovation works. It was then reopened on 3 February 2018 with a revamped 2530 square meters space.[8]

Layout and Features

Design of the library interior incorporated Yishun's heritage as a natural plantation, reflected by wooden themes. The entire library is connected by one main pathway, guided by a ceiling light panel feature that leads into various sections of the library:

  • Digital Learning Zone
  • Children's Zone
  • Quiet Reading Lounge

Digital Learning Zone

The zone provides a dedicated space to feature an extensive variety of National Library Board's (NLB) digital collection for seamless browsing and easy consumption. It is the first of Singapore's public libraries to house a dedicated zone for digital content.[9] The zone has 7 learning pods with an interactive screen each, providing users access to learning resources from e-learning platforms such as LyndaLibrary and Ted Talks.[10] Comprising 12 wall-mounted screens, virtual bookshelves and animated book features are among content that is displayed on the screens. Users are able to borrow books by scanning QR codes or embark on virtual tours of past exhibitions organised by the National Library.[10]

Children's Zone

The Children's Zone has customised curations specific to age groups, with books displayed in a front-facing manner. The area has child-friendly furniture and seating spaces designed to encourage families to sit and read together. The zone also features an Early Literacy Collection placed on low shelves. It is grouped into 5 main categories of "Sense & Sensation", "Concepts", "Languages", "Poetry & Rhymes" and "Emergent Reader" for caregivers' reference to support the development of their child.[2] Computer catalogue stations are also fixed at a lower height to enable young users to conduct library material searches with ease.

Quiet Reading Lounge

The area has 26 wooden individual nooks, each having an individual light switch.[11] The ambient darkened environment aims to facilitate reflections and contemplative reading. The concept is inspired by a "time-out" experience to create an undistracted pocket of time amid the busy lifestyles of users.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Northpoint City - Store". www.northpointcity.com.sg. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 National Library Board. "Library Details" (PDF). Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Yishun Community Library". LibraryThing.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "YISHUN AND CCK LIBRARIES TO BE RELOCATED". Today. 20 September 2008. p. 16.
  5. ↑ "Yishun Library reopens at new location". www.asiaone.com.
  6. ↑ Ee, Jamie Wen Wei (16 November 2008). "Bigger, better libraries at malls". The Straits Times. p. 13.
  7. ↑ "Progress of asset enhancement works at Northpoint is on schedule". Frasers Centrepoint Trust. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "Yishun Public Library will be closing for renovations". National Library Board Singapore. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  9. ↑ "National Library Board of Singapore Receives Digital Innovation Award". OverDrive. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  10. 1 2 Ho, Olivia (3 February 2018). "Yishun Public Library reopens with new digital zone | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Yishun public library reopens on 3 Feb with innovative features and futuristic decor". sg.style.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  12. ↑ Hong, Xin Yi (2019). The Remaking of Singapore's Public Libraries. National Library Board Singapore. ISBN 9789811197369.


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