Mobile library carts introduced to provide jobs for older job seekers

SINGAPORE: Having mobile library carts to provide jobs for mature workers — that’s the latest initiative by the North East Community Development Council and National Library Board (NLB).

59—year—old William Khoo is one resident in the North East district who has gone for the librarians—to—be briefings.

He now mans one of the mobile carts, which holds some 100 adult and children’s books in the four official languages.

Khoo said: "I have learned a lot from NLB — how to borrow, how to check for the book, the barcode, and everything inside, so it can be done. I can introduce something to the people, (and) share with the people. I’m really very happy."

The mobile cart job is aimed at giving older job seekers above the age of 40 in the North East district a six—month stint as a library assistant.

During that time, the North East CDC will assist them in finding a permanent job.

Mayor for North East District Teo Ser Luck said: "While this pushcart is still manual on the ground, what I hope to do is further computerise the process, so that the job seekers can also learn some computer skills. It will help them with a new skill set, most of the job seekers do not have this area of expertise."

The mobile cart also aims to make borrowing of books more accessible to residents, especially when parents are waiting for children to finish classes at the community club.

The initiative has been introduced at the Sengkang and Pasir Ris East Community Clubs (CC).

The scheme started at Sengkang and Pasir Ris East CC in July.

It will be rolled out to five other CCs namely Kaki Bukit CC, Serangoon CC, Tampines West CC, Tampines Changkat CC and Tampines CC in the North East district by September.

— CNA/ck