Choa Chu Kang Public Library: Libraries Can Be Gardens Too
If you’re a fervent reader, a student, or a book enthusiast with neither the money nor space to build your own private book collection, the library is probably a place you frequent. I’d even hazard a guess that only a handful of us living in Singapore would say they’ve never set foot in a library. Whether you’ve lost track of time absorbed in a novel, or spent the better part of an afternoon cramming for an examination (something I’m no stranger to, despite currently doing my internship at the libraries), it’s hard to deny that libraries have served us each in different ways.
With the recent reopening of Choa Chu Kang Public Library, I was reminded of the humble beginnings of my reading journey at community libraries. Growing up in Yew Tee, the library closest to home wasn’t Choa Chu Kang Public Library, but instead, a small and modest Community Children’s Library at the void deck of a nearby Housing and Development (HDB) block.
Community Children’s Libraries (CCLs) were libraries that were situated at the void decks of HDB blocks, aimed to cultivate a reading habit amongst preschool and lower primary school children by bringing the library to their doorstep. This initiative began in 1993 and by 2000, there were 46 CCLs all over Singapore. Each of them were also uniquely themed, such as “planetarium”, “undersea world”, and “wildlife”.
Looking back at my now distant memory of the Choa Chu Kang Community Children’s Library, I remember a vivid purple entrance as well as a dark blue carpeted floor which I absolutely adored. Back then, I would tuck myself in a nook in the library and get lost in whatever fantasy world had been written into existence by the author whose book I held.
Like every other kiasu parent with a morbid fear of missing out, my mother believed that early childhood education was the key to moulding a child prodigy. In my earlier years, she used to sign me up for storytelling sessions at the library every week and accompanied me to the library whenever I wanted to read. I may not have turned out a genius, but I have her to thank for my fervent love of reading.
But as the proverb goes, “All good things must come to an end.” The Community Children’s Library initiative was ultimately discontinued in 2008, due to declining visitorship and loan rates, as well as the high operational costs incurred from maintaining these neighbourhood libraries.
I was devastated. The library that housed many fond memories and represented my beginnings as an active reader was never coming back, and I felt like no other library could replicate the memories I had forged at Choa Chu Kang Community Children’s Library.
At the time, we didn’t yet have access to the vast library of eBooks available at the tip of our fingers (most of us did not even have smartphones!). Begrudgingly, I now had to take public transport to the next nearest library: Choa Chu Kang Public Library.
To my pleasant surprise, Choa Chu Kang Public Library turned out to be much bigger than the Community Children’s Library. Instead of only being able to borrow four books, I was now able to take home up to six or eight books per visit. Similar to the concept of Book Bugs, children back then were also able to redeem game cards, plastic folders and other NLB collectibles upon borrowing a certain number of books.
Even so, I found the minimalistic greyscale interior and muted carpet dreary; these furnishings created a heavy, serious atmosphere which seemed to me more fitting for an office. I was accustomed to the lively and engaging environment of the Community Children’s Library, and the difference between the two libraries could not have been starker.
So imagine my surprise during a recent visit to the newly renovated Choa Chu Kang Public Library: Instead of taking up just one floor within Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, the new library now spans across two floors (Levels 4 and 5) and accommodates a more extensive literary collection than its predecessor.
The overhaul is aligned to the National Library Board’s (NLB) Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025 (LAB25): a five-year road map to streamline library and archive services to support lifelong discovery and learning, build an informed citizenry, nurture a stronger appreciation of the Singapore experience, and ensure equal access and opportunities for everyone.
With the significant increase in seating areas and a well-lit interior, the new library really is a conducive environment for everyone, whatever their age or background, to pore over the library’s resources at their leisure.
But what made my jaw drop was the dedicated kids corner at Level 5! With vibrant vegetable sculptures adorning the top of several bookshelves, the bright and colourful space would have delighted my younger self. How I wish I could have spent my time there when I was a kid! If only I could time travel…
As a nature-themed library, many of its features are centred around the topic of environmental awareness and sustainability. Sporting an indoor garden and a hydroponics showcase to break up the monotony of an indoor space, these serve as a timely reminder of the importance of food security in Singapore.
Aside from the green spaces, another area that caught my attention was the Community Wall, located near the entrance of the library. Filled with interesting historical facts about Yew Tee and Choa Chu Kang, I found myself learning about Singapore’s heritage through several informational videos and an augmented reality (AR) learning trail. It was fascinating to discover titbits like how the last tiger in Singapore was found in Choa Chu Kang on 26th October 1930! I’m sure little-known facts like these will help pique the interest of library-goers and inspire an appreciation for more Singapore stories.
If I had to pick my favourite spot in the newly reopened library though, I would without a doubt choose Veronyka Lau’s “living” art installation, “Three Pockets Full of Rye”, in which she uses found objects to interpret her own relationship with food and the concepts of sustainability and security. These spaces, and the stories they tell, are fertile grounds for like-minded souls to connect over similar interests.
Check out its dreamy aesthetics, making it look as if it came right out of a #booktok:
If you’re interested to see the revamped library for yourself, remember to book a slot between the opening hours of 11 am and 9 pm before you visit. Walk-ins are accepted but you may face a queue due to the safe distancing measures in the library. The library is located on the 4th and 5th floor of Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, which is right next to Choa Chu Kang MRT Station.
