Bukit Merah Library’s Big Move: Tripling Footfall and Making Life Easier
This week the National Library Board (NLB) rolled out its plans for the Bukit Merah Public Library’s relocation to VivoCity mall, boasting that the shift will triple the number of visitors compared to its current spot. The board emphasised that the new site will make public‑transport access a breeze for readers.
Backlash and the Petition That Got 1,000 Signatures
When the move was first announced last July, a wave of NTL‑stampedes—both online and in email form—thrust the library into the spotlight. Twitter users, Instagram influencers, and the occasional bored old‑timers chided the NLB with the classic complaint:
- The new address sits over 3 km from the current hotspot and feels farther from nearby residential estates.
- Staten‑A‑paltans, retired seniors, and the ever‑busy students would be left out in the cold if the library moved.
- One online petition quickly swelled to nearly 1,000 signatures, pleading, “We want our library where we can get there without a detour!”
What the NLB’s Current Heats with
Despite the clamor, NLB says the new site will carry on the legacy with its own identity: Library @ Harbourfront.
Below are the key dates:
• The new oasis will open on Jan 12, next year on the third floor of the gigantic VivoCity shopping mall.
• It promises a paneled view of the sunny island of Sentosa for patrons to soak in whilst paging through a novel.
• The old three‑storey library of Bukit Merah Central will be closing its doors for the last time on Nov 30.
Why It Might Just Be Good News
Shifting to a mall location could bring in a whole new crowd—think mall‑hunters, teenagers, and tourists—who might not have thought of a library as part of their day‑to‑day routine.
Less reliance on trams and buses will mean readers in the area get a more convenient route without digging through traffic or waiting for an overnight.
And if the library now feels more like a nearby corner shop, perhaps it will rekindle old tilts for the joys of reading, library‑ming, and community chats.
Why Singapore’s Newest Mall Library Is Turning Heads
Picture this: a library tucked inside a bustling shopping mall, surrounded by the buzz of shoppers, cafés, and the smell of fresh coffee. That’s the vision behind the upcoming Library @ HarbourFront, slated to open next year in the massive VivoCity mall.
Why the Move Matters
- Foot traffic up a notch – The current Bukit Merah Public Library gets about 500,000 visitors a year, which is half the footfall of its neighboring Bishan Public Library.
- Targeting the millions – The new HarbourFront spot could attract up to 1.5 million people, according to Ms Catherine Lau, NLB’s assistant chief executive for public library services.
- Strategic placement – This isn’t an isolated move. NLB is continually repositioning libraries into high‑traffic venues such as shopping centres and town hubs. For instance, the Tampines Regional Library now sits at Our Tampines Hub, while Yishun Public Library has found a new home at Northpoint City.
What’s Inside the New Library?
Spanning a generous 3,000 sq m, the Library @ HarbourFront promises to become Singapore’s largest mall library. Its layout is packed with:
- 16 eNewspaper stations – Keep up with headlines right on the go.
- Kids corner – A dedicated area for the little ones to explore
- Multipurpose zone – Suitable for talks, workshops, or just a chill spot.
- Reading lounge – Seating for 120 comfy chairs, perfect for looping a book or two.
Fresh Collection
Book lovers are in for a treat! The library’s 200,000‑book collection (mirroring the size of the Bukit Merah library’s holdings) will be refreshed and modernized, ensuring readers have an up‑to‑date selection.
Let’s Make the Library a Go-To Spot
Who would’ve thought a library could be both a quiet sanctuary and a lively social hub? With its prime mall setting, the new HarbourFront library is poised to become the go‑to spot for bookworms, shoppers, and anyone craving a cozy reading nook in the heart of Singapore’s retail scene.
Bukit Merah Gets a Library Boom (and No Rent)
Good news, Bukit Merah! The National Library Board (NLB) is rolling out a brand‑new library that’s all about kids, community vibes, and making sure you never have to pay a dime for rent. That’s because the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Community/Sports Facilities Scheme is rolling out the red carpet (or maybe the blue carpet?) so the library stays completely FREE for the residents.
Why It’s a Big Deal for You
- The Children’s Area is built from the ground up just for the littlest readers – think cozy bunnies, bright lights, and a design that says, “Hey, you’re ready to learn!”
- The Multi‑Purpose Programme Zone gets you into storytelling sessions, talks, workshops, and all those fun activities you can’t stop raving about.
- After the old spot is vacated on November 30, grassroots leaders and social organisations will keep the library spirit alive on the site, with a mini‑library and a reading corner that NLB will sponsor.
Reading Corners All Around Town
The NLB has set up 12 snazzy reading corners in Bukit Merah over the last year, and you won’t miss them when the new library opens. These corners are like tiny book islands surrounded by community centres and senior activity hubs:
- Community Centres
- Senior Activity Centres
- Enabling Village
- Beyond Social Services
- St Andrew’s Senior Care
- Teens Network Club @ Bukit Merah
- The We Love Learning (WeLL) centre at Henderson
Each spot comes stocked with books that will turn your weekend into a literary adventure.
More Libraries, Less Travel
The library board is also thinking of dropping one of its sail‑powered Molly mobile libraries into the neighbourhood every fortnight. With a mobile library, you get a fresh batch of books and programmes that pop up just when you need them.
Ready to Get a Sneak Peek?
If you’re keen to see the new library before it officially opens, the NLB invites all Bukit Merah residents to a guided tour of the library at Harbourfront a week before the grand opening. Keep an eye out for more details this month – trust me, you’ll want to be there before the first book is opened!
Thanks, NLB! For turning Bukit Merah into a hub for learning, fun, and community.
