Public or community libraries can be found in almost housing estates. Some libraries are even housed in shopping malls and arts galleries! How cool is that. You can shop, eat (not in the libraries, of course) then nourish your brain in the libraries.
You can read some books or magazines, or the daily newspapers for free or watch some audio-visual materials from one of the computers. There are comfy seats for you to read. Some are too comfy that can make people snooze. You can also surf internet on your laptop, tablet or iPad using the complimentary wireless@sg WiFi.
The libaries are air-conditioned so they are good place to escape the heat and humidity outside. Though just like cinemas, many libraries air-conditioning are set at winter temperature, so bring along a light sweater if you plan to stay in libraries for an extended period of time. Going to the zoo can be costly plus its open and hot.
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| Public library |
The central, regional and public or community libraries are all open seven days a week, except during public holidays. Though the ones located in malls will open later at 11am in line with the malls opening hours and these malls community libraries tend to be located at the upper floors. I supposed the rent is cheaper at the upper floor plus it is quieter and they want you to browse the shops at the lower floors.
The national or central library is near downtown at Victoria Street, near Bugis MRT station, just next to youth centric Bugis Junction mall. How convenient is that. The regional libraries are in Tampines, Woodlands and Jurong. The regional libraries are bigger than community libraries and contain more reference materials.
The community libraries can be found all over the island, in Pasir Ris (White Sands mall), Sengkang (Compass Point), Yishun (Northpoint Shopping Centre), Bukit Batok (West mall), Bukit Panjang (Bukit Panjang Plaza), Chua Chu Kang (Lot One mall) and at many other neighbourhood towns.
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| National Library |
There are also public libraries at the Esplanade and Chinatown and at the shopping belt of Orchard Road at level 3 Orchard Gateway. Yes a public library in the mall! Many who go to library go there to study, do their school works, making use of free wi-fi and of course air-conditioning.
It can be quite difficult to concentrate without air-conditioning in hot and humid Singapore. And running air-conditioning at home for too long can be costly too. Though for some strange reasons many public libraries (and cinemas) air-conditioning are just too cold for comfort. Not to mention a waste of energy.
At the Esplanade also known as Theaters on the Bay, as it is an arts venue, there is a public library which is well stocked with arts related materials including the many contemporary movies. There are also performances within the library usually during the weekends such as poem or music recitals. You can even rent a music studio to do some jamming in the library at Esplanade. The only library where you can play loud music, being theme-arts library. Obviously the room is well-acoustic.
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| Rotunda Library at National Gallery |
Another cool library to check out is the Rotunda library within the National Gallery. Rotunda is so-called as it is round in shape and it was previously a Supreme Court Justice library. The former Supreme court is now part of National Gallery, just like City Hall, which was formerly Municipal Council building. Rotunda is also free to enter and to browse, there are comfortable seats around the library. The place itself is very historical so you may to just have a look around.
The National Gallery is located along St. Andrews Road in front of Padang (the field). The books at Rotunda are also mostly arts-themed and there are also many books on the history of Singapore to relate the library being housed within an elegant arts gallery and the building being a national monument. Rotunda library opens on weekdays.
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Former National Library
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If you borrow books, magazines or audio visual materials from the public libraries, while they are free, ensure that you return them on time or else you have to pay between 15 to 50 cents per book or material per day. Borrowing time varies between two to three weeks.
The public or community libraries are certainly a great place to spend your free afternoon. Free books, newspapers, air-con and WiFi! Libraries are no longer the drab places it used to be, some complete with cafes to hang out and chill. So you can have a cuppa of coffee and read at the same time. Some people or students go to the library not to read library books but to study, and to snooze. Afterall the quiet environment is ripe for some serious study.
On the left is a painting by Yip Yew Chong of the former National Library which has been demolished. You can see this wall mural at 51 Waterloo Street. This artist is famous for
street arts or wall murals depicting the lifestyle of yesteryears.
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