New Children’s Biodiversity Library to Open in January 2024

Parents and children can explore the ocean’s wonders through marine biodiversity-themed zones and programmes, developed in partnership between NLB and S.E.A. Aquarium by RWS

The Central Public Library, located at the National Library Building on Victoria Street, will reopen on 12 January 2024 with a refreshed children’s section, which brings the wonders of biodiversity – with a focus on marine life – closer to young explorers. This is the first marine biodiversity-themed learning space for children at a public library in Singapore.

To be named the Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium, this partnership between the National Library Board (NLB) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) will offer new opportunities, including monthly programmes, for parents and children to have deeper learning in marine biodiversity. RWS, which is home to the S.E.A. Aquarium, will also be committing staff volunteers to facilitate regular educational programmes at the space. The integrated resort has committed S$1 million in funding through its community development arm, RWS Cares, to support the set up of the space and related programmes.

a.     Interactive Zones

The Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium takes visitors on an exciting journey of discovery about marine biodiversity, offering a diverse range of engaging and interactive features. These include the Open Ocean Zone where children get close to specimens including shark jaws and coral skeletons, and a floor-to-ceiling column with coral-like features. There are also infographics to help parents and children learn about the important role that coral reefs play in marine biodiversity. To heighten the experience, library patrons can, through a video projection of marine life from the S.E.A. Aquarium, immerse themselves in the habitats of sea jellies, which have many important roles within the marine ecosystem. The Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium also features an Intertidal Zone where young learners and their parents can learn about the multitude of organisms living on marine shorelines through interpretive displays. Please refer to the Annex for details on the various Zones.

The space will also house the Central Public Library’s children’s collection, comprising books and reading material across a wide range of topics to enhance learning and love for reading.

b.    Educational Programmes

Children can look forward to new monthly programmes on marine biology and conservation led by trained volunteers in a dedicated space, designed to resemble a submarine, in the Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium. These include an interactive human library activity where children get to meet real-life divers and aquarists, intertidal animal art workshops, storytelling sessions, upcycling workshops, and more. The programmes, developed by NLB and the S.E.A. Aquarium teams, combine an immersive learning experience with engaging activities and are designed to better captivate children’s interest and help foster a deeper understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation. More details on the programmes will be shared subsequently.

Helmed by trained educators well-versed in the topics of marine biology, RWS’ S.E.A. Aquarium team has been designing educational programmes, content, and tours for adults and children from different age groups since 2013, reaching out to over 50,000 individuals every year. Leveraging its expertise, the team has worked with NLB to design and develop the children’s section at the Central Public Library.

The revamp of the Central Public Library is in line with NLB’s LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) aim of working with partners to build a robust Learning Marketplace, to bring new learning experiences to patrons.

NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “A key component of our LAB25 vision involves working with partners to develop programmes and curated resources to help our young patrons learn more about sustainability and biodiversity. Importantly, we hope to inspire them to treasure our biodiversity and take action to protect it. With RWS as a partner, we will refresh the Central Public Library’s offerings to further raise awareness on the important topics of sustainability and biodiversity. In the spirit of LAB25, we invite more like-minded partners to join us in broadening and deepening the learning experience for children in various aspects of sustainability and biodiversity.”

RWS’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tan Hee Teck, said: "We are heartened to partner with NLB to introduce a first-ever marine biodiversity-themed showcase within a public library in Singapore. This strategic partnership under our community development arm, RWS Cares, demonstrates our commitment towards creating a positive impact through education. As we dive into this collaboration, we're excited to introduce young minds to a world of marine biodiversity and conservation. The power of change starts with education, especially from a young age. With a space that is accessible to all, more will be able to gain a deeper appreciation of the oceans and be inspired to take conservation actions.  We look forward to having the community join us in cultivating future stewards of our oceans.”

Members of the public who have an interest in marine conservation and biodiversity are welcome to join the S.E.A. Aquarium Outreach Programme and be part of the team to support and facilitate educational programmes at the Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium. To learn more about the Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium and sign up for the Outreach Programme, members of the public may register their interest via SEAAvolunteer@rwsentosa.com. Those who are also keen to volunteer at the wider Central Public Library may register their interest at https://go.gov.sg/volunteerwithctpl.

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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 in 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 (MCI).

For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.

About Resorts World Sentosa

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort, is located on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, RWS is home to world-class attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Complementing the adventure and adrenaline of its theme parks and attractions are six unique luxury hotels, the renowned Resorts World Convention Centre and a casino. RWS offers award-winning dining experiences and exciting cuisines from around the world across its array of celebrity chef restaurants, establishing itself as a key player in Singapore’s vibrant and diverse dining scene and a leading gourmet destination in Asia for epicureans. The integrated resort also offers world-class entertainment, from star-studded concerts to immersive exhibitions. RWS is the first integrated resort to be inducted into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame in 2023 after being named “Best Integrated Resort” for 10 consecutive years at the TTG Travel Awards, which recognises the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry.

RWS is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group. For more information, please visit www.rwsentosa.com.

Facebook: /ResortsWorldatSentosa

Instagram: @rwsentosa

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hoe I Yune 
Weber Shandwick 
Tel: 9324 2061
Email: IHoe@webershandwick.com

Joween Song 
Weber Shandwick 
Tel: 9677 2598 
Email: JSong@webershandwick.com

Annex - Highlights of the Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium
Through a series of interpretive and interactive displays, visitors can immerse themselves in a world of marine biodiversity. The showcase is designed to inspire a deeper appreciation of our oceans through experiential learning and highlights the importance of protecting our marine life.