Things to Do at Our Libraries — Online Edition (July 2020)
Physical programmes are not in the cards at our libraries just yet, but we’ll continue to bring quality virtual programmes right to your screen. Join us this month as we read for a good cause, dig deep into Singapore Literature and find out how we can better care for our loved ones with mental health issues.
Head-to-Head: Conversations Between Writers | Facebook
7, 14, 21, 28 July 2020 (Tues)
6.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Head-to-Head is a weekly literary programme that pits 2 local authors of different genres, styles or interests to negotiate their work in a new light. Each session will feature authors’ readings of published works that might pertain to a theme followed by a discussion with each other and the audience. The sessions are hosted and moderated by Crispin Rodrigues.
Session 1 (7 Jul): SingLit and the Urban Space
Session 2 (14 Jul): What is the Singaporean Novel?
Session 3 (21 Jul): Writing about Ethnicity
Session 4 (28 Jul): Spoken Word in Singapore
About the Moderator
An educator by profession, Crispin Rodrigues is the author of two poetry collections, Pantomime and The Nomad Principle, both published by Math Paper Press. He is currently co-editing an anthology of poems by youth poets as well as an online anthology of poems and flash fiction about Yishun.
To participate, join the Facebook Livestream here.
Book Discussion: Shattered, We Heal | Zoom
9 July 2020 (Thurs)
3.00 pm to 4.00 pm
A collection of 15 true stories of struggle and healing shared with humour and compassion, Shattered, We Heal is a compelling narration that aims to shatter the stigma of mental illness. Join us as author Yohanna Abdullah and other members of Club HEAL discuss the pressing issue of mental health and how we can all play a part, as a community, in helping others with mental illnesses.
About Club HEAL
Formed in 2012, Club HEAL aims to help Malay and Muslims cope with and recover from mental illnesses. Without support from caregivers and the community, relapses are frequent, and many end up in the long-stay wards at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) or, in the worst-case scenario, living on the streets. Club HEAL seeks to empower people with mental health issues to reach their true potential and tackle challenges life throws at them.
To participate, register here to receive a link to the virtual programme on the day of the event on Zoom.
Planning for Your Loved Ones with Special Needs | Zoom
10 July 2020 (Fri)
3.00 pm to 4.00 pm
If you are a caregiver to a person with special needs like dementia and mental health conditions, you may worry about the future care and financial well-being of your dependant. Conducted by facilitators from Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC), this online session explores the importance of planning ahead for your loved ones. Find out how SNTC Trust and the Special Needs Saving Scheme (SNSS) can help to provide financial security for your loved ones and peace of mind for you.
About SNTC
SNTC is the only non-profit trust company in Singapore that provides affordable trust management services for persons with special needs. It is a Registered Charity and an Institution of a Public Character. SNTC is supported by the Ministry of Social & Family Services and Public Trustee’s Office under Ministry of Law.
To participate, register here to receive a link to the virtual programme on the day of the event on Zoom.
Read for Books 2020 — Let’s Read Together | Zoom
11–26 July 2020
3.00 pm to 3.30 pm
Read for Books is a special book donation drive in which for every ten people who read for 15 minutes, one book will be donated to children beneficiaries.
Can’t decide what to read? Join your friendly neighbourhood librarian for half-hour sessions between 11 and 26 July where they recommend short reads for different book categories or genres. You can also choose to read whatever you like and cosy up alongside other book lovers as we Read for Books together.
To participate, register here to receive a link to the virtual programme on the day of the event on Zoom.
Malay Book Launch: Ally at the Playground | Zoom
12 July 2020 (Sun)
11.00 am to 12.00 pm
Ally at the Playground is the third instalment in the Ally’s Adventures English-Malay bilingual book series. Set in Singapore, it features Ally, a little girl-cat going on a little adventure at the playground, a place that is close to the hearts of our young readers. Have fun with Ally as she plays with her friends and learn new words in English and Malay. This interactive session with the writer includes:
- Storytelling
- Quiz
- Sing-a-Long
- A chance to get a free copy of Ally at the Playground board book
This programme will be conducted in Malay and is suitable for children age 7 years and below.
About the Writer
Norlin Samat is an former primary school teacher with a Post-graduate Diploma in Education and a Master’s degree in Language Studies. She is a passionate educator with a career spanning more than 18 years as a teacher and an administrator in public and private education institutions. The Ally’s Adventures series is inspired by the learning from the journey that Norlin is going through with her own child. She hopes the series will help family members and educators in their efforts to raise the next generation of bilinguals.
To participate, register here to receive a link to the virtual programme on the day of the event on Zoom.
In view of the current developments regarding the COVID-19, the status of these events may change.
Visit go.gov.sg/golibrary for the latest updates on our programmes.
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Text by
Marissa Heng
National Library Board
