NLB invites public feedback on new library@orchard design and concept

SINGAPORE: The National Library Board (NLB) wants the public to have a say in what they would like the new Orchard library to look like.

NLB has collaborated with Singapore Polytechnic to conceptualise ideas based on initial public consultation for the library@orchard, which will open in 2014.

After two months of conducting hour—long interviews with members of the public along Orchard Road, it was back to the drawing board for students and lecturers of Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Architecture and Built Environment.

This resulted in design concepts that created a memory bank of inspiring local stories. Some also give users access to multi—media content through the latest gadgets and applications.

More importantly, the new library@orchard will cater to a different crowd of library goers.

"I think this is very much the demographic that we’re going to reach out to with the new library@orchard; people who come to Orchard Road for various reasons, and those who work at Orchard Road we hope to attract people who don’t read or visit public libraries to come to the library@Orchard," said Jasna Dansukhlal, NLB’s assistant director of library services and management.

Four of the prototypes are on display at the Central Library in Victoria Street until 31 January. The public is encouraged to give their feedback on the four prototypes online at NLB’s blog (http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/orchard) or submit their suggestions via feedback forms at the Central Library.

— CNA/jc