Library Hop #1 - Let's Hop to Bukit Merah Public Library

Mentioned earlier in my post 10 reasons we love visiting the library, today (last day of the year) I am going to blog about Bukit Merah Public Library and its recommended reads.

This medium size library (4,149 square metre) is located at 3779 Jalan Bukit Merah. It is a 3 storey stand alone library. It was the fourth full-time Branch Library built by the National Library in its decentralised plan to bring library services nearer to people's homes. It was opened on 28th December 1982. Then it was closed for 8 months from 28th June 2004 for major upgrading. Finally, reopened on 25 February 2005. 

The ground level contains Children's Collection, magazines, newspapers, Audio Visual materials, multimedia services, borrowing stations and an exhibition area. The second storey features the unique Comics Corner, a Quiet Reading Room , Adult and Young people Section, Reference Collection. On the uppermost level are the Radin Mas Lecture Hall and Swordfish Meeting Room, which are available for rental. (Note these 2 names are some what related to Bukit Merah)

Exhibition area

Christmassy ambience at the Recommended Reads Area 

As one of the first public libraries to offer audio-visual loan services with video and CD-ROM lending, the library has over 14,000 materials for the public. 

It is also one of the 2 libraries who currently loan iPads tablets for free to members of the library. The iPads are to provide users with access to the National Library Board's (NLB's) eResources on eBooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers, language resources, a music library and much more. Loaning the iPads comes with a compulsory 1 hour workshop to learn using the device. Registration is required before loaning. You can email to helpdesk@library.nlb.gov.sg or call their hotline at 6332 3255 for more details regarding the loan.  Of course, if you have your own smart phone, you can access the same resources as well.

I remember sourcing for references at this particular library during my schools days. (Those were the pre- renovation days) There were plenty of references in the Reference Collection (located at Level 3 then). I love studying and researching at the same time. Then, library was a very quiet place. I don't remember seeing any toddler books, not to mention baby books around. It is very much different, children are encouraged to go to the library. Of course, being toddler friendlier environment, you do not expect the library to be in absolute silent but to be considerate to others, parents or caregivers are to supervise their kids and keep volume as low as possible.

10 Reasons why we love visiting the libraries

1. Wide collections of books and you can borrow for free! 

You are allowed to borrowed 8 library items (including 3 audio-visual materials) with a basic membership. Of course, materials in the Reference section are not to be loaned out of the library. There are even reading corners in the library for you to browse the books. During the June and December school holidays, you may even double your loan!

2. Story telling session for kids 

These are free. Need I say more?

Note how far I sit away from the group . :P

3. Fun programmes for children and adults too!

Library can be quite a fun place for learning, both adults and kids alike. Check out their workshops and programmes. For adults, there are interesting workshop the pin hole photography , Pottery, even Beatboxing! Most sessions are free but registration is required. Otherwise, a minimal fee is applicable. You can check out on brochures in the library.

The Golden Apple

4. Movie Screening 

This is free too! How cool is that?

5. Surprises in Mystery Brown Bags

Clementi Public library is the first public library to offer this service. This is specially catered for working adults who wanted to read some books but have no time to browse in the library. You never know what you gonna get until you check the item out of the borrowing counter... heh... And a recent surprise I have got comes in the form of Christmas pressie in Bukit Merah Public Library. Cool!

I am going opening it soon!

6. Storytelling Kiosks 

These Kiosks are interactive. The children could choose to watch a animated story or to play with the interactive games.Currently, I know they are available at Clementi Public Library and Central Public library. Moms can rest for a while the little one interact with the kiosks.

7. Exhibits

The libraries we visited so far all have a mini exhibition area whereby they showcase art and crafts, heritage, etc.
Occasionally, they would showcase exhibitions as well. The Singapore Biennale 2013 chose The National Library Building for exhibition some of the artwork. Check them out! 

Cool display at the Book Display Area

8. Do research

Where is the best place to go for research besides the internet? The library, of course!

9. Anniversary Celebration 

It's a party complete with activities and workshops! We have yet to attend any but this sounds interesting! Check out the library brochure as well. 

10. Libraries with a Theme 

Green Learning @ My Tree House, first Green library for kids
Performing Arts @ The Esplanade Library
Chinese Arts & Culture @ the Chinatown library
Lifestyle, Applied Arts & Design theme @ the Orchard Library

Have I got you interested in visiting a library? If so, come library hop with me.
I would be introducing at least 1 library per month and also introducing recommended books which we think your children would enjoy! Stay Tune!

Christmas 2013

How are you celebrating your Christmas?

Going to visit an igloo?

Looking at Fancy Christmas Decoration?

Watching live performance?

Taking photo with Mascots?

Visit Sugar Mountain in Garden by the Bay?

Spotting reindeer?

Looking for the prettiest Christmas tree?

Visit Christmas Wonderland? 

Take a ride with Thomas ?

Touch the snow?

Writing to Santa?

Watching a wonderful Christmas musical?

Or the very tradition way of walking down Orchard Road?

Last but not least, getting presents for your loved ones.

source

Essential Eames: A Herman Miller Exhibition

I have been pondering how I should pen my thoughts. We have been to the exhibition during the National Day. It was a free admission courtesy of Marina Bay Sands to celebrate Singapore's 48th birthday. I am a green horn when it comes to designing physical stuff. This exhibition, I hope, would open my eyes to the world of designing. I embraced the free admission whole heartedly as I could bring little one to the exhibits without worrying too much whether it would be a waste of money if she finds the material too dry. 

If you think the exhibition is only about chairs and furnitures designed by the famous couple, Charles and Ray Eames, you are wrong! It also include original paintings by Ray Eames, photography, films, toy making, a special chair designed for Pope John Paul II, Eames house (Their very own architecture design) and interactive objects from the Eames Mathematica exhibition explaining complex Maths concept in simpler form. (Wish I have more time to read through but little one was running everywhere.) 

And was the kid bored? I think you know by now , she wasn't. She was running everywhere! This is because the exhibition was so colourful and interactive.

12 days of Christmas - The Forum Shopping Mall

Christmas is around the corner, I am sure most people will be going round shopping malls to get Christmas presents. Probably, you would see some live shows performance going on. I went to a couple of shows on purpose actually. I chose those my little one would enjoy.

Among all the shopping malls show I've picked, I enjoyed this most. Probably due to the reason I love that carol and Ballet is featured in this delightful musical including Christmas Carols such as "The little drummer boy", "All I want for Christmas is You" and of course, "The 12 days of Christmas". This performance does brings in the spirit of  Christmas especially when the song "When you wish upon a star" (Not a Christmas song I know but it fits so perfectly in the show) and "The 12 days of Christmas" were played.

The Musical starts off with 2 Elves playing with bubbles. Little One's attention was caught immediately.

Bubbles when the princess come in.

The Golden Apple (Positive Values to instil your kids with)

I had been disappeared for about half a year due to very hectic work life and could not really find a work life balance. Yes, finally I threw in the towel especially after knowing my kid's childcare is going to increase school fee. I have decided to be a SAHM again. Yeah!!! 

This month is the month of giving. There are a lot of activities going on to bring kids around. Besides, live shows in Shopping Malls, Children's Performances at various Theatres, I brought my girl to an 1 hour programme in Queenstown Library. The Golden Apple (Chinese Drama Performance for kids 4-12 years old.) This is highly recommended.