PeiShi’s Visit to Tampines Library - Part 1

One of the places you should visit when you come to Singapore is the libraries. I know this may sound strange, but it's definitely not so if you are a bookworm or that you love book. And if you come from Malaysia, or Penang, you know how bad the libraries are back home. I have visited the Shah Alam library before and was impress with it when I was younger, but now, no more. Let me spend three entries showing you what a 'neighbourhood' library is like in Singapore. Yes, neighbourhood, not even national level. But actually, the Tampines Library is at a class of it's own. Come, let me show you the facilities first. Above is the top floor of the 5 storey library. Don't you just love the furnishing? NLB has excellent taste in furnishing. Actually so does Changi Airport recently, but that's off topic....

The new modern library now comes with a "Culinary Studio". Apparently learning to cook is very popular. I guess that was deduced from the insane about of cookbooks you can get from the library. If you live in Singapore, you don't have to even purchase any cookbook. You don't use them much anyway! Just go to the library and get all you want! They have all the best types too! I once borrowed all 8 books of just Japanese Cuisine. 

The studio looks kinda interactive, with space for participant to have a hands-on as well. I saw some session in session before, and lots of kids with their mum were gather inside making cookies or baking or something....

There is also a separate non-interactive  cooking demo room. If only my home kitchen look this cool! This spacious! This bright!

For other normal classes, they also have seminar rooms. This is on top of some smaller hobby rooms and smaller interest group. Tampines library has its own kind of electronic board room as well. Insane!

There are also a few gardens in the library. This reminds me of the Beitou Library I visited in Taiwan.  And here we have some swings in the garden as well. Oh, forgot to mention that these are high rise garden, and not ground level garden. High rise open garden are now a thing in Singapore's high rise building design, from libraries, to condo, to offices and hotels. It's an "in" thing now. 

Don't forgot high ceiling with floor to ceiling glass window! Always a win. You can just sit in these comfy chairs and sun tan away! Who says reading is unhealthy for you! Load up n Vitamin D while you read!

There is also a theater layout with projector screens and sittings. They started having these in libraries now, mainly for talks and screening. Have I posted on Orchard Gateway library before? If not, I'll try to remember to post about that soon....

In case you are keen to know more, here are the floor directory to the Tampines Library. You can spend the whole day there! Two more post coming up on what you can find in the library, and how they make the library a place of art now... Stay tune!