First look at the revamped Central Public Library, now open with new facilities
The library features a marine biodiversity library for children and various immersive spaces.
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SINGAPORE: The revamped Central Public Library reopened on Friday (Jan 12), with an array of new features that incorporate Singapore stories on culture, heritage, and literature.
The library was officially reopened by Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo on Friday.Â
Among the new facilities are a marine biodiversity learning space for children and a generative artificial intelligence (AI) storytelling wall.
Located in the basement of the National Library building on Victoria Street, Central Public Library was closed in June 2022 for the revamp.
This was the library's first full-fledged revamp since it first opened its doors in 2005, said the National Library Board (NLB).
BIODIVERSITY LEARNING SPACE
The revamped library features a marine biodiversity-themed learning space for children. Developed in partnership with Resorts World Sentosa, it has a floor-to-ceiling column with coral-like features.
There is also a collection of marine specimens, including shark egg cases and coral skeletons, as well as an outdoor mangrove showcase and a room for educational programmes.
Children can also colour a character from the Book Bugs series and see them appear on a projection screen.
Adjacent to the children's biodiversity library is the courtyard and memories corner.
The courtyard will grow mangrove saplings to be transplanted to Singapore's mangrove forests, while the memories corner will display a multimedia showcase by artist Brian Gothong Tan.
It will be screened on 5,000 red bricks that were retained from the old National Library at Stamford Road.
GENERATIVE AI STORYTELLING
Visitor to the revamped library can also explore the Immersive Room, which showcases a curved wall projection that displays content through tools such as kinetic sensors.
"In the first few months, it will showcase StoryGen, part of NLB’s ExperienceIT service to make emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) accessible to all," said NLB.
"Through StoryGen, patrons can add a unique twist to well-loved stories, including Singapore folktales, and visualise them through a multimedia experience."
StoryGen is produced by the NLB and Amazon Web Services.
NLB added: "For example, StoryGen can bring a scene of the boy and the garfish (in Sejarah Melayu) to life through AI-generated images, and take it further by presenting it in another genre like sci-fi or fantasy.".
The Singapore Alcove is an immersive space that integrates the Singapore collection and features an exhibition that tells stories about the country.
The inaugural exhibition is titled Lepak Landscapes: Life and Leisure in Singapore.
Visitors can generate a personalised QR code, which they can scan to interact with content in various zones. This includes exploring stories on recreational practices in Singapore over time, as told through digital storybooks, artefact displays and interactive elements.
"There are also plans for more programmes in the Immersive Room, such as an extension of the Singapore Alcove that allows users to step into a scene of old Singapore, and regular programmes like immersive storytelling," said NLB.
SINGAPORE-THEMED MURALS
Aligned with the library’s theme Singapore: Kaleidoscope, the Central Public Library showcases various Singapore-focused murals and artwork, in collaboration with local artists and students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
"The murals boast unique and personal perspectives of Singapore’s culture and heritage through the eyes of creative individuals," said NLB.
"These murals provide patrons an immersive experience to explore more about Singapore through their interactive touchpoints."
Besides these additions, the library has a new space for Launch, a programme piloted in Punggol Regional Library that provides business training and advisory services for entrepreneurs, small business owners and working adults.
Located on Level 7 of the National Library building, it will feature "conducive spaces for collaboration, discussion and focused work", while new event spaces will host a slate of programmes and workshops.
Through the Business Kickstarter service, users can also set up consultations with a specialist for guidance on how to maximise NLB’s business databases and resources for market research.
NLB’s CEO Ng Cher Pong said: "We’re opening an exciting new chapter for NLB with the transformed Central Public Library.
"Its location at the heart of the Civic District makes it a popular destination for many, who will now find new and immersive ways to discover Singapore content and learn more about the world, including the biodiversity, around us."
