Design of library and books are based on green theme
Kash Cheong Straits Times 1 Jun 13;
DEEP in an "enchanted forest" is a mock tree house where children can read or play.
It is part of a new "green" library that was opened yesterday to teach youngsters about nature.
With more than 45,000 books and interactive installations, the 500 sq m facility aims to bring environmental issues to life.
Its centrepiece is an artificial trunk with a tree house-like platform where children can sit and read their books. It also has eco-friendly fixtures such as LED lights and recycled shelves.
Ms Esther An, head of corporate responsbility at City Developments, which is co-sponsoring the project with the National Library Board, said the aim is to spread environmental consciousness among the young. "We find it important to educate children about the environment, so that they will grow up to be green champions," she said.
Called My Tree House, the library bases its design, book collection and programming on green principles. More than 30 per cent of its books are non-fiction about ecological topics.
Located in the basement of the Central Library, it also features tree-like structures made of recycled wood and interactive components such as the weather stump - a visual installation that shows real-time weather patterns. Children can answer questions on conservation using a "knowledge tree wall".
The new facility was opened yesterday by Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim, who noted that one out of every five library members is aged under 12.
Raffles Girls' Primary School (RGPS) pupil Ananya Ray, 12, said: "You can move around in this library so it doesn't get boring."
Mr Derek Tan, a 39-year-old engineer with one child, said: "Besides the usual parks and outdoors, there's now one more place I can bring my kids to educate them about nature."
Anata Wazir, 11, also from RGPS, said she was most inspired by light fixtures in the library that are made out of plastic water bottles. "It makes me want to recycle too," she said.
"This place spurs my imagination. I feel like I could write a story about it some day."
"Green" library for children to learn all about caring for the environment
Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid Channel NewAsia 31 May 13;
SINGAPORE: There's now a "green" library for children to learn all about caring for the environment.
Known as "My Tree House", it opened its doors on Friday at the Central Public Library.
Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim joined in the festivities.
The library is a collaboration between the National Library Board and City Developments Limited.
At "My Tree House", children can learn about the environment through a multi-sensory experience.
The library also boasts a collection of 45,000 books, with 30 per cent focusing on green topics.
Soh Lin Li, manager of Central Public Library and National Library Board, said: "We curate the collection in terms of having more non-fiction books on the weather, animal, plants, also global warming, and all these climate change materials. These will help them know about the services and also the issues around in the world. So this differentiates us very much from the other libraries."
Besides books, children can also visit the library to take part in activities such as story-telling sessions, reading programmes, and art and craft workshops.
- CNA/de
