Yishun Public Library (

Simplified Chinese Simplification, Simplify, or Simplified may refer to: Mathematics Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one that is simpler (usually shorter), according to a well-founded ordering. Examples include: ...

: 义顺社区图书馆), is a public library located in

Yishun Yishun ( ), formerly known as Nee Soon, is a New towns of Singapore, residential town located in the northeastern corner of the North Region, Singapore, North Region of Singapore, bordering Simpang and Sembawang to the north, Mandai to the we ...

in the North Region of Singapore. It is currently located at Level 4, North Wing of

Northpoint City Northpoint City, formerly known as Northpoint Shopping Centre, is a suburban shopping mall in Yishun, Singapore. Located opposite Yishun MRT station, the mall houses the Nee Soon Central Community Club, Yishun Public Library as well as the Yishu ...

and serves the areas of

, Khatib and Canberra. The target community includes residents of

Chong Pang Chong Pang () is a housing estate located in the subzone of Yishun West along the Sembawang–Yishun boundary in the town of Yishun, Singapore. It was named after the former Chong Pang village. It has precincts of Neighbourhood 1, part of Neighbou ...

, Nee Soon Central, Nee Soon East and Nee Soon South.

History

1998-2008: official opening

Yishun Public Library was first opened on 26 February 1998 by Associate Professor

Ho Peng Kee Ho Peng Kee ( zh, s=何炳基, p=Hé Bǐngjī; born 9 May 1954) is a Singaporean legal academic and former politician. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he was the Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and the Minis ...

, then Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for

Sembawang GRC The Sembawang Group Representation Constituency is a five-member Group Representation Constituency (GRC) located in the North Region, Singapore, northern area of Singapore. The GRC has five divisions: Sembawang Central, Naval Base, Woodlands, Ad ...

. Its original location was on the third level of the former Sembawang Town Council building at Block 290 Yishun Street 22, Singapore 760290. The library was closed on 13 October 2008 following plans to move community libraries into malls.

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

's new extension wing and now closer to

Yishun MRT station Yishun MRT station ( ) is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North South line (NSL) in Yishun, Singapore. The station is located at the junction of Yishun Avenue 2 and Yishun Avenue 5, and is currently one of the two MRT ...

. 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. 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). 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.

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 The National Library Board (NLB) is a statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information of the government of Singapore. The board manages the public libraries throughout the country. The national l ...

'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. 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 TED Conferences, LLC (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an American-Canadian non-profit media organization that posts international talks online for free distribution under the slogan "Ideas Change Everything" (previously "Ideas Worth Sprea ...

. 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.

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. 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. 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.

References

1998 establishments in Singapore Libraries established in 1998 Libraries in Singapore Yishun {{Authority control