Central and Marine Parade libraries will be renovated and offer new services
5 April 2022
The National Library Board (NLB) announced on Tuesday that the Central Public Library and the Marine Parade Public Library will be renovated (April 5).
The Central Public Library, located in the basement of the National Library building on Victoria Street, will be closed from June 13 to the first half of next year. This is the library’s first major renovation since it opened in 2005.
Meanwhile, the Marine Parade Public Library will be closed from May 9 to 2025 as part of the larger revitalization of the Marine Parade Community Building, which houses it. The library has been at this location since May 2000, and it was previously refurbished in March 2013 over a two-month period.
The two libraries’ renovations are part of NLB’s Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025. (LAB25).
“We update our libraries to meet our patrons’ changing learning and reading needs.” “With each library redesign, we offer new services to enhance the joy of learning,” said NLB CEO Ng Cher Pong.
“Our LAB25 plan will guide the revitalization of our libraries in Marine Parade and Central, involving the community and partners in reimagining how we can discover and learn together at our libraries.”
In the meantime, patrons of the two libraries will have access to a variety of alternative library services.
“During the renovations, current library patrons can expect to try out some new services that will allow them to continue with their reading, discovery, and learning,” NLB said in a press release.
“They offer new services will be in addition to the extensive range of digital resources available through the NLB mobile app, such as e-books, e-magazines, and e-newspapers.”
From May 18, a “Grab-and-Go” library with approximately 5,000 English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil titles will be available at the Study Lounge on Level 5 of the National Library building.
Patrons of the Central Public Library can continue to reserve items and pick them up from reservation lockers on the B1 level of the National Library Building, as well as return items through the 24-hour book-drop facility on the first floor.
From May, patrons of the Marine Parade Public Library will be able to borrow books from a 24-hour book dispenser outside the FairPrice Finest supermarket at 6 Marine Parade Central. From 1978 to 2000, this was the location of the old Marine Parade Community Library.
“Customers can browse and borrow physical books, as well as pick up reserved items and magazines.”
“With the Libby app, patrons can also use the interactive screen to browse, borrow, and download e-books for reading on their own devices.”
In addition, the Marine Parade Public Library will donate 1,200 books to the People’s Association in order to establish a reading corner at the Marine Terrace Walk Residents’ Committee.
