Central Public Library and Marina Parade Public Library to undergo revamp as part of LAB25

The Central Public Library and Marina Parade Public Library will be undergoing revamps this year, announced the National Library Board (NLB) in a press release on Tuesday (Apr 5).

This is part of NLB’s ongoing Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025 (LAB25) efforts to systematically rejuvenate the libraries to better Singaporeans. 

The Central Public Library will be closed from Jun 13 and is expected to reopen in the first half of 2023. As for Marina Parade Public Library, the revamp will last from May 9 till 2025. 

“We refresh our libraries to cater to the evolving learning and reading needs of our patrons. With each library revamp, we push out new services to bring out the joy of learning,” said NLB CEO Mr Ng Cher Pong.

There will be replacement services available for visitors during the renovation period. 

For the Central Public Library, NLB will be launching Grab-n-Go, where patrons can simply grab a book and exit through the gantry where the loan will be automatically recorded. 

This service will be open for use from 9am to 9pm starting from May 18 at the study lounge (level five) of the National Library Building which will remain open during the revamp.

Additionally, patrons can continue to use the reservation lockers (basement one) and the 24-hour bookdrop facility (level one) as per normal. 

NLB will also be setting up a 24-hour book dispenser outside Fairprice Finest at 6 Marine Parade Central in May for visitors to borrow books and other materials.

The book dispenser will feature an interactive screen for visitors to browse, borrow and download eBooks for offline access using the Libby app.

Furthermore, a reading corner consisting of 1,200 pre-loved books donated from Marine Parade Public Library has been set up at Marine Terrace Walk Residents’ Committees by People’s Association.