Singapore's newly-revamped Central Public Library is spacious and beautiful with a distinct, not-to-be-missed area celebrating our Singaporean culture and heritage.
I finally went down to the newly-revamped Central Public Library that was opened in January and it sure is gorgeous! I wasn't expecting to write a review blog on this but I took so many nice pics and I wanted to share with everyone, especially how it looks without the crowd - so here it is!
The pictures I saw on social media all looked really crowded and goes to show how popular the new national library branch can be during the weekends (I even saw queues to enter!), so I'm really glad I went on a weekday and got to see the Central Library's beautiful spaces sans the crowd.
Here are 6 highlights at the new Central Public Library I love which I reckon you and your kids will love too:
1) The Children's Biodiversity Library
This is the children's books section which carries picture books and middle grade books. The marine theme is very attractive and there is giant coral in the early literacy section that is very eye-grabbing!
There is also an interactive feature where children can digitally colour book bugs and send them onto the large screen. One for NLB book bug cards collectors? 😊
I saw lotsa new books at the Junior Collection (middle grade) section - not all are new like at Punggol Regional Library - but I would say at least 70% of the books I saw on the shelves look really new. I'm always really tempted to borrow new books. Are you? 😁
Just FYI my books, My BFF Is an Alien, is available at the Central Public Library too. I believe they would be at the Singapore Collection area - I can't be sure as they were all on loan when I was there. If anyone sees them there, do let me know! 😄
2) The Singapore Alcove
This is my favourite at the new national library! This is probably the largest space I've seen at Singapore libraries that is dedicated to the Singapore collection.
This space integrates books by local writers with an exhibition about Singapore's heritage and culture. The current exhibition is Lepak Landscapes: Life and Leisure in Singapore and you can find displays of various artefacts in the area.
3) The Immersive Room
The Immersive Room is where visitors can create stories with Ipads using AI apps. After customising your story, you can then project it onto a six-panel curved wall. I'm pretty impressed by the graphics and music generated by the app, and it is really cool to see the story fill up the entire wall. You can also download your story to your phone via a QR code.
I'm glad I got to try this out as the library is really quiet on a weekday. There are only 3 Ipads in the room and I can imagine there being a long queue for them during weekends!
4) Memories Corner
This outdoor space pays homage to the library's history where red bricks at old Stamford Road were kept for use in this new library. It's a nice area to chill with a book but I think most would still prefer the air-conditioned indoor area - at least I do😁
5) Murals
The library also showcases various Singapore-focused murals and artwork by local artists and students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Here is a beautiful one by Ah Guo in area leading to the teen fiction section.
6) The cool seats and wide spaces
The new Central Library is really huge and spacious, and I couldn't help noticing the many cool seating area and reading nooks here, which I'm pretty sure would be all taken up during weekends. Check out the general collection!
This is the Reading Zone. The desks at the end faces the Memories Corner.
Here is a cool reading nook at the adult fiction area.
I'd highly recommend visiting the new Central Public Library on a weekday if you want to be better appreciate the space. For a walk-through of the library, here's a reel I made: https://www.facebook.com/reel/409445181477084
The Central Public Library is located at basement 1 of the National Library Building at 100 Victoria Street. It is opened Monday-Sunday: 10am - 9pm, closed at 5pm on eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year and closed on public holidays.
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.