NLB

Attended a gathering of volunteer story tellers last Saturday at the National Library. They treated us like kids feeding us with party food, ice cream and popcorn.

The Director in charge (who shared that she has just received her 35 years long service award) gave a short speech about the library's initiatives over the years in promoting a nation of readers. Her personal account of her career in NLB was equally interesting. I believed she was a scholar because she mentioned that upon her return she was offered 2 jobs, one with the library and another with PA (People's Associations). Thinking that working with PA would involve lots of overtime she chose NLB. Little did she know she ended up spending much personal time in NLB spearheading various activities out of love for the job.

Some 20 years ago whilst attached to the Ang Mo Kio branch, she took it upon herself to conduct story telling sessions outside her working hours for the love of it. It became quite popular such that she had to conduct it at the theatrette. She invited the parents in as well with the objective to demonstrate to them the way to instil the love of reading in their children. Hence she was strict with parents and would ask those who stayed at the back and read newspapers to leave. The library received a complaint against her but her boss supported her.

This is not the first time I attended such event. A few months ago there was an appreciation event for "Friends of Library" (mainly all kinds of volunteers). The Dy CEO spoke during that function. What struck me as a commonality not only between both these senior officers but amongst a few supporting officers as well is the passion for their job.

Coming back to last Saturday's event, the Director took her leave after awhile and said she had to rush to AMK library to facilitate discussions at a Chinese readers club formed by taxi drivers. Apparently a couple of readers' clubs have been formed where readers meet say monthly or bi-monthly to share their thoughts about a book. Before she left she encouraged us volunteer story tellers to form our own book club and suggested the library officer in charge of us to facilitate.

Anyway my blog today has a mission. The NLB also conducts a reading programme known as "kidsREAD". It recruits volunteers from community self‐help groups and individuals to engage in reading related activities with children aged 4 to 8 years old from low‐income families. This nation wide reading initiative was launched in April 2004 and aims to promote the love of reading and cultivate good reading habits among all young Singaporeans, in particular children from low‐income families. We were told to spread the message that volunteers are still needed for this programme. By the way a lot of activities including story telling sessions at the libraries are conducted during weekends so working adults can volunteer as well. However as this kidsREAD programme involves the same group of children every week, it is preferable that a volunteer can commit for at least 6 months to build the rapport. Ah another message, Chinese and Malay storytellers at various libraries are lacking as well. So if anyone is interested do go to NLB website to register and find out more.