Dear readers, this afternoon, I visited the re-opened Central Public Library.
The Central Public Library is located at the basement of the National Library Building in Bugis and was closed for renovation in Jun 2022. The library reopened only recently, on 12 Jan 2024.
I am a regular goer of public libraries here as I love books and reading. In fact, I have been going to public libraries since I was young and can call myself a veteran public library goer.
Prior to the closing of the Central Public Library in Jun 2022, I have come to love the library for it offers a peaceful and quiet sanctuary for me amidst the hustle and bustle of city, to devote some time in the world of books, thinking and quiet contemplation.
I was not surprised to find that the Central Public Library today is very crowded and lively since crowds flocked to the library after the long closure and recent re-opening.
The re-opened Central Public Library is no longer like the one in the past as the Library now offers an entirely new open concept. There are no hard barriers between adult sections with children or teenage section. And the children section now takes centre stage at the Central Public Library with an expanded area.
This means that the sound from the Children’s section can easily be heard at the Adult section of the Central Public Library as well. I found that the whole central public library, from my experience today was akin to a busy shopping centre as admittedly, the library was very noisy.
A noisy library defeats the purpose of the sanctity of the library and I made my way to the Lee Kong Chian library located at upper levels of the National Library building to do some quiet reading.
In my own words, I welcome an expanded Children section but I would have preferred that the Adult and Teenager section of the Central Library be demarcated audio-wise.
Many working adults like myself go to the library to have a peace of mind, away from the stress and busyness of work, from the hustle and bustle of shopping centres, far from the maddening crowd, just to have a “me” time to do some quiet reading or contemplation.
Perhaps, the audio level at the Adult section may become normalised after these first few weeks of the re-opening. And I am sure I will be there once again to monitor this.