Even more volunteering opportunities at soon-to-be reopened Central Public Library
The National Library Board (NLB) held its annual Volunteers’ Appreciation Evening today at The Flower Field Hall in Gardens by the Bay, to recognise the efforts of NLB’s volunteers who have helped shape Singapore’s libraries and archives. Their growing numbers – more than doubling from 2,000 in FY2021 to 4,230 in FY2022 – reflect the meaningfulness and diversity of areas in NLB where volunteers can contribute in.
In the past year, in addition to regular volunteering roles such as library guides, new opportunities were available across NLB’s network of libraries and archives. This included supporting the inclusive activities and services at the Punggol Regional Library. At the library which officially opened in April this year, volunteers help to prepare tactile and sensory materials for special storytelling sessions for children with autism and intellectual disabilities. Volunteers have also helped to prepare the sensory aids at the library’s Calm Pods, which are quiet, safe spaces for persons with disabilities to go to when needed. In other libraries, volunteers were involved in helping to promote information literacy as part of NLB’s S.U.R.E initiative, and encouraging seniors to experience and discover some of the newest and emerging technologies at NLB’s Tech Bazaar.
As part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to meet its goal of 6,500 active volunteers by 2026, more volunteering opportunities will be progressively rolled out across public libraries nationwide. For instance, volunteers can look forward to opportunities at Central Public Library when it reopens in January 2024. These include educating patrons on NLB’s services and conducting library tours to introduce patrons to the new features on-site. NLB will be holding briefing sessions to share more about these opportunities. Members of the public who are interested to attend can register via https://go.gov.sg/volunteerwithctpl.
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “We greatly appreciate the volunteers who have stepped forward to contribute their time and expertise with us. The number of volunteers we have today is nearly as many as the total we had before the pandemic. We are encouraged that many see meaning and value in volunteering at our libraries and archives, and we look forward to welcoming more volunteers to the NLB family.”
At the event, three NLB volunteers were recognised for their exemplary contributions. They were also recipients of the Ministry of Communications and Information’s (MCI) Special Recognition Award that were given out in October. They are Ms Norhayati Mahat, 55, a club coordinator for the kidsREAD programme, aimed at cultivating the love of reading for children aged four to eight from less privileged families; Mr Pok Cheng San, 64, the pioneering Mandarin volunteer for the Former Ford Factory exhibition “Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacy”; and Ms Shamimah Mujtaba, 55, who leads and facilitates three Learning Communities at the public libraries, including the Singapore Book Club, Ukelele jamming sessions, and dance communities.
NLB’s Chairman, Mr Lee Seow Hiang graced today’s Volunteers’ Appreciation Evening as the Guest-of-Honour. In his remarks, he said: “This evening is a celebration of you, our esteemed NLB volunteers, and your efforts, passion and dedication. We look forward to your continued support and welcome more volunteers and partners to join us as we forge ahead. I thank you again for your smiles, your time, and your conviction in NLB’s mission.”
More information about volunteering opportunities at NLB can be found here: https://www.nlb.gov.sg/volunteers.
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About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore’s history through its rich collections on Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Communications and Information.
For more information, please visit the NLB website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
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