Going to the new Punggol Regional Library? Here are 8 visiting tips

There are only children's books at Punggol Regional Library for now, but it is worth visiting the new library to see how grand and beautiful it is.

Popped by the newly-opened Punggol Regional Library on Saturday! I was really impressed by how big and spacious the place is. All the books at the library are new too but despite that, we didn't borrow many books as the titles we were looking for weren't there. Anyhow, the new library is definitely worth checking for its grand structure and lovely children zone.

I wasn't actually planning on writing a blog post so I didn't take many pictures during our visit (but read till end for a vid!). I don't think there's a need to review it - we mainly go there to borrow books right? - but just thought I share a few visiting tips as it's a rather new place and not everyone is familiar with this library or its location. So here are 8 visiting tips for you!

1) Only two levels housing children's books are open

Currently, only two levels of the library are open and these are the levels housing picture books and middle grade books. So young adult and adult books, which would be located in the higher levels (there are five levels in all), are not available yet. The rest of the library is expected to open in a few months' time.

2) Picture books mainly on ground floor, middle-grade books on level 2

The ground level of the library is the early literary zone, so it's where you'll find picture books for the younger ones. Middle grade books are on the second level but there are also Chinese picture books and non-fiction books for younger readers on this floor too.

3) Not all books are on the shelves yet even if the NLB catalogue says they are

I saw from the NLB catalogue that my books, My BFF Is an Alien, are available at the Punggol library. However, when I was there I could not locate them. A librarian later told me they have yet to shelf all the books, so even if it's stated that a certain book is available at Punggol library, you might not find it on the shelves during this early opening period.

I think it would have been better if such books are stated as "in-transit" or not listed in the NLB catalogue yet if they are not on the shelves? I think some people do make trips to certain libraries in hope of picking up particular books? Anyway, hopefully it wouldn't be long for all the books to be out on the shelves!

4) Singapore literature are at the Singapore and Southeast Asia shelves

Books written by Singapore authors are located at the Singapore and Southeast Asia shelves, so the picture books, middle grade books, fiction and non-fiction books by Singapore authors are all placed in this section.

This is not consistent for all libraries in Singapore. Sometimes I find my books in the middle grade book sections, sometimes they are placed in the Singapore collection. Anyhow, just know that if you can't find the books of certain Singapore or Asian authors at Punggol library, they could be placed in the Singapore and Asia shelves, like how I found Jesse Sutanto's Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit in this section.

5) Weekends can get crowded

If you are taking younger kids there to play in the children's area which is stocked with puzzles and games for young children (once you enter the library on the ground floor, turn left), you might want to do so on a weekday. The area was full when we there on Saturday, and so were the children zones on the first floor, like Spark!Lab, Storyteller Cove and Stories Come Alive. There's a more detailed look into the children zones at LittleDayOut.

But given that this library is huge, when walking around, you don't feel like its overly crowded and the borrowing stations didn't have queues either. If you are going there just to browse and borrow books, it's probably alright to go during the weekend but if you want to take your kid to the children zones, best to go on weekdays.

6) Punggol Regional Library is located near Punggol MRT and Waterway Point

The library is located at 1 Punggol Drive One, #01-12, S(828629). It is about a 5-minute walk from Punggol MRT. If you are coming from Waterway Point, it also about a 5-minute walk if you exit from the mall's entrance near Sushiro at #01-31/32.

The walkway from the MRT and Waterpoint to the library is sheltered. So no worries, even if it's raining!

7) The library is opened 12pm-9pm daily

The Punggol Regional Library's opening hours is different from the other libraries. It is opened daily from 12pm till 9pm (at the time of writing) and closed on public holidays.

8) There's a cool cafe at the library

There's a cool cafe called Artease Cafe located on the second floor of the library. You can access the cafe from within the library. You can dine in or takeaway but food and drinks can't be taken into the library. You'd need to exit from another entrance of the cafe to go out of the library if you are taking away food.

We had the bubble tea and gelato at the cafe and they were really good! Seats were all taken when we were there around 1-2pm. Hope to try out their food the next time!

As the library is newly-opened, the above info could still change. We definitely hope to visit again when the entire library is open and I would update again then!

Have you visited Punggol Regional Library? If so, what do you like about it?

Disclaimer: My opinions and reviews here are strictly my and my family’s own.

©Vivian Teo. All content and photos are copyrighted to Vivian Teo unless otherwise specified.