Public libraries to reopen on July 1: Here's what to expect

The National Library Board (NLB) announced on June 24 that all public libraries will reopen to the public from July 1. 

In line with the safe reopening measures under phase 2, safety precautions will be put in place, NLB said.

All public libraries to reopen after over two months

The National Library Building, National Archives of Singapore building, the Former Ford Factory and all 25 public libraries will reopen to the public on July 1 with shorter opening hours and capacity controls in place.

Shorter opening hours from 11am to 7pm will apply to the National Library, public libraries and the National Archives of Singapore, daily until further notice.

Similarly, the Former Ford Factory will be open from 11am to 4pm. Meanwhile, the Oldham Theatre will remain closed.

Safety reopening measures to be in place

According to NLB, libraries will operate on a “borrow and go” model where people will be able to borrow and return physical materials, as well as use reservation and book drop services.

However, all seating and study areas, including newspaper and multimedia stations, will not be available. All programmes, guided tours and events in physical spaces will also continue to be temporarily suspended.

NLB said patrons are “encouraged to use the NLB mobile app to scan and borrow physical library materials as a means of contactless borrowing.”

There will also be a limit in crowd capacity to 50 persons per floor, as well as timed entry and limited visiting time of 30 minutes per patron’s visit, NLB said.

“To minimise the need to queue for entry into our libraries, patrons are encouraged to make an online booking for their preferred entry slots,” it added.

Meanwhile, online booking will be required for those visiting the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and the National Archives of Singapore. More details on the online booking system will be provided at a later date, said NLB.

Patrons who visit our facilities must observe the Ministry of Health’s advisories such as the use of SafeEntry for check-in and check out, compulsory wearing of masks, temperature taking, and safe distancing measures.

“In view of the capacity restrictions, patrons may have to queue and wait before they can enter our premises,” said NLB.

Those looking to visit can check https://go.gov.sg/library-visit-crowd or the NLB mobile app for the real-time crowd capacity in the libraries and archives before visiting.

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Phase 2 of Singapore’s reopening

Libraries were among the many public facilities forced to close during the circuit breaker period implemented in April to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the community. 

All public libraries will be resuming operations in Phase 2 of Singapore’s post-circuit breaker reopening.

Earlier this week, the National Heritage Board (NHB) announced that The National Museum and Asian Civilisations Museum will reopen on June 26.

In addition, National Gallery Singapore will also reopen on June 26, according to an advisory on its website.

Meanwhile, The Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall will follow suit a week later on July 3.

This article was first published in theAsianparent.