This presentation explores Singapore libraries’ approaches to sustainability in the planning and designing of library spaces and experiences; and how the three key principles: Sustainability, Inclusiveness and Technology bring about nature and social connectedness in the design of NLB’s three latest libraries (Choa Chu Kang Library, Punggol Library and Central Library) in Singapore’s public library network.

1. IFLA/ENSULIB WEBINAR SERIES PRESENTS
Sustainability – Bringing Nature and
Communities into the Libraries
Brought to you by
ENSULIB, IFLA‘s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section
Thursday, 25 April, 2024
5pm SGT / 11 am CET

2. About the Webinar Series
Priscilla Pun
Secretary, ENSULIB Section of IFLA;
Head of Technical Process Unit, University of
Macau Library, Macao, China.
E-mail: nipun@um.edu.mo

3. Privacy
This event is being recorded, including chat.
The video will be posted on YouTube and the video link will be posted on ENSULIB’s webpage and
on social media.
Microphones have been muted for this event.
Comments: Please type into the chat
Q&A: The Q&A session will follow the presentation. Please type questions into the Q&A box.
The talk is GDPR-compliant
IFLA and ZOOM privacy policies:
https://www.ifla.org/data-protection-policy ​
https://zoom.us/privacy
Questions regarding privacy
professionalsupport@ifla.org

4. Session Introduction
Antonia Mocatta
Information Coordinator, ENSULIB Section of IFLA;
Director of Central Services, University of Sydney
Library, Sydney, Australia.
E-mail: antonia.mocatta@sydney.edu.au

5. Speaker
Li Sa Lim
Deputy Director of Planning & Development, National
Library Board Singapore,
E-mail: lim_li_sa@nlb.gov.sg

6. SUSTAINABILITY –
BRINGING NATURE AND
COMMUNITIES INTO LIBRARIES
Lim Li Sa, Deputy Director
Planning & Development

7. An invitation to partners and the
community to collaborate with
NLB in a journey of innovation
and experimentation to
Reimagine
Singapore’s libraries
and archives
7
Restricted

8. NLB's Interventions
1
In response to socio-economic drivers and disruptors
2
4
3
Four Key Roles under LAB25

9. PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES
Fundamental Principles
• Sustainability. Inclusiveness. Technology Adoption
• These are the three new value directions that govern the entire design matrix:
• Biophilic Design – the design principles are generally organised into three categories: nature in the space,
nature of the space, and natural analogues.
• Inclusive Design – the design principles describe methodologies to create spaces and services that
understand and enable people of all backgrounds and abilities.
• To integrate advanced service design, with proactive technology adoption to benefit the different audiences.
• From Transactions to Experiences
• Amid evolving economic, social, and technological landscapes, our customers' behaviors and expectations will
continue to change.
• Discover. Learn. Read.
• It’s about connecting and sense-making (empowerment and one’s role in society).
• Every library should have a Core Identity
• What is the Hook?
WHAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PRODUCT THAT WE WANT OUR PATRON TO
EXPERIENCE?

10. DESIGNING EXPERIENCE
• As experiences have become more dynamic and
interconnected, it is crucial to consider patrons’ interactions with
NLB as part of a broader end-to-end journey, rather than in
isolation.
• By focusing on the customer journey, we can better understand
patrons’ needs and identify opportunities to enhance their
experiences through improved interactions at one service point
to another.
• Some of NLB’s channels:
NLB Website
NLB Mobile App Catalogue
Book borrowing stations
Physical library spaces
Reservation Lockers
Social Media

11. DESIGN PROCESS
• The design process is an iterative journey of
Research & Analysis, User Engagement, and
Experience & Service Conceptualization.
• By constantly updating ourselves with
pertinent data and user needs, this process
helps us design library experiences that are
not only dynamic but relevant to our patrons.

12. RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
•Tapping onto existing pools of data can help
uncover a wealth of insights that provide
context and alternative perspectives.
•The research process is made up of the
following components:
•Community Analysis
•Environmental Scan
•Data Triangulation

13. USER ENGAGEMENT
• User engagement plays a quintessential role
throughout in our process of development.
• Effectively engaging users (staff and patrons) not only
ensures that the strategic decisions are made with the
user needs in mind but also encourages greater
collaboration and ownership of the space.
• Examples of User Engagement include:
•User Surveys
•Staff Brainstorming Sessions
•Back-of-House (BoH) Prototyping Activity

14. EXPERIENCE & SERVICE
CONCEPTUALIZATION
• Findings from the research and
engagement process come together to
continuously refine an experience that
will be attractive and meaningful to our
patrons.
• The eventual service concept serves
as a guiding direction for the ongoing
library development process; where
experiences, programmes and
offerings are designed and centred
around it.

15. (Re)Connect with Nature at Choa Chu Kang Public Library
Sought to create an interactive space that nurture learning, discovery and
sharing of Choa Chu Kang’s rich agriculture, biodiversity heritage and
sustainable living.
IFLA Green Library Award 2022
Inclusive Space for everyone at
Punggol Regional Library
NLB’s first inclusive public library,
serving Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs), aimed to address the limited
accessibility of public spaces for PwDs.
Enabling Mark (Platinum) 2023 Award
Universal Design Excellence Award
2023
All Things Singapore at Central Public Library
Derives identity from “central” branding & location, rather than immediate
community characteristics.
Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A Aquarium
LIBRARIES’ THEMES AND SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

16. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
• One of the fundamental principles in our design matrix is Biophilic Design. Thus, a deliberate choice is made to
integrate nature into the library spaces, blurring the line between the indoors and outdoors.
The first Indoor Garden in Singapore’s
Public Libraries, forms the core of the
space, with seating, shelving and
programming areas planned around the
Indoor Garden to create a seamless spatial
experience.
Indoor Garden at Choa Chu Kang Public Library
The Children Zone has placed a greater
focus on being fun, safe and family-centric,
with design elements referencing to the
farming heritage and community gardening
culture. The Story Circle is the designated
storytelling area designed to be an open
space and to cater for interactivity.
Children Zone and Story Circle Green Heart area at Central Public
Library
The Green Heart within the circulation path
creates a serene atmosphere amidst the
surrounding activities.

17. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Adjacent to the new Children’s
Biodiversity Library, the Courtyard
will grow mangrove saplings to be
transplanted to Sentosa’s mangroves
with opportunities for children to take
part in this process.
Memories Corner at Central Public Library
The Memories Corner will come alive in the evening
where patrons can enjoy an immersive multimedia
showcase by award-winning artist Brian Gothong Tan,
titled The Library of Memory, screened on the 5,000 red
bricks retained from the old National Library at Stamford
Road.
• Two enclosed outdoor spaces at the Central Public Library were repurposed into usable spaces for
programming or simply for patrons to relax.
• These spaces are examples where we blurred the lines between the indoors and the outdoors.
The Programme Zone is just next to the
Community Garden of the Punggol One
Hub. Apart from being surrounded by the
serenity of the greenery, it allows the library
to extend the programming space into the
garden.
Courtyard at Central Public Library
Programme Zone at Punggol Regional Library

18. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
• Another design feature involves integrating natural lighting to create a cozy and warm ambience.
• The Sunken reading area is located at the Older Children and
Teens’ Zone and overlooks a long stretch of windows that allows
natural light into the space. It is designed to provide a cozy
ambience for children and teens to hang out in.
• Reading Zones with study tables and individual seating are
arranged along the windows to provide a scenic view, while
allowing conducive, solitary and quiet reading spaces. Sunken reading area at
Choa Chu Kang Public Library
Choa Chu Kang Public
Library
© National Library Board Singapore
Punggol Regional Library
Central Public Library

19. SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
To align with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a national movement for
sustainable development, NLB has actively incorporated sustainable
materials for interior works and install energy efficiency products.
• Vinyl/Carpet Floor Tiles – made of bio-based or recycled content that
greatly reduces carbon footprint during manufacturing; ISO 140001
certified in Environmental Management System; or certified with
Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) certificate.
• Paint Finishing - low volatile organic compound (VOC) painting, adhesive
and sealants.
• Partition wall and ceiling - Gypsum boards made of 100% recycled
content and SGBP certified.
• Furniture –
o Furniture Fabric – plant-based product for furniture fabrics and with
biodegradable packaging
o Upcycled or reused existing bookshelves, plastic chairs
• Highly efficient fittings (taps, sensor taps, flush valve)
• Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) Lifts and Escalators –
draw less current and activate only if there are passengers
• High performance façade glass panels reduce heat transmission
• Highly efficient air-conditioning system and energy-saving LED lights

20. RECONNECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
• NLB continues to create awareness, inspire and engage the communities in appreciation for the natural environment, and
social responsibility that we should adopt in our daily lives​.
• Combination of design and technology to provide an immersive, multi-sensory reading and learning experience through its
unique installations​.
Green Grove at Choa Chu Kang Public Library is a curated corner that cultivates environmental awareness and literacy
by showing the intricate links between humans and their local environments. It features a Hydroponic Showcase, Live-
Statistic Display, AR Interactives and Climate-Action Corner.
Green Grove Hydroponics
Showcase
Live-Statistics Display
© National Library Board Singapore

21. RECONNECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
The Nature Walls act as visual guide, leading customers into the different spaces while maintaining visibility
between different spatial zones. It also displays curated imageries of flora and fauna extracted from an array of
natural history books, botanical prints and plantation photographs from the National Library’s extensive collection
and Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris.

22. RECONNECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium at
Central Public Library
Coral Column Showcase of S.E.A.
Aquarium artefacts
Digital aquarium-
related content
The first marine biodiversity-themed learning space for children by S.E.A Aquarium at a public library in Singapore.
It includes features such as a floor-to-ceiling column with coral-like features, S.E.A. Aquarium’s collection of specimens
including shark jaws and coral skeletons, digital aquarium-related content, an outdoor mangrove showcase, and The
Submarine, a room for educational programmes.

23. RECONNECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
Submarine Room (Programming Space)
Outdoor mangrove showcase
Mangrove showcase in the children’s library outdoor space, where mangrove saplings will be grown until
they are ready to be transplanted to various locations in Singapore. The transplanting of the grown saplings
will be a programme that educates children on mangroves in Singapore.

24. RECONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• The interior design of Central Public Library adopted the Singapore vernacular architecture design elements which
reflects the theme “Singapore Kaleidoscope”.

25. RECONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• The stories of Singapore (past and present) are told through Singapore-themed murals. We commissioned adapted
artworks from local artists and collaborated with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) to produce the artworks as
part of the students’ coursework.
Adapted In Our Time by Singaporean
illustrator Lee Xin Li
Flight of Fantasy and Court of No Worries by Singaporean artist Lee Kow
Fong (aka Ah Guo)
Murals by NAFA students

26. RECONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• A digital exhibition telling Singapore
Stories. “Lepak Landscapes: Life and
Leisure in Singapore” is the first
edition exploring iconic leisure
scenes and their rich histories
through digital storybooks, artefact
displays, and interactive elements.
• Enriched by historical and literary
materials from the National Library
and National Archives of Singapore, it
offers a comprehensive and engaging
perspective on leisure in Singapore,
inviting visitors to explore and connect
with our vibrant culture.
Patrons can interact with the
content in various zones through a
personalised QR. There is a
personality quiz for patrons to
discover what kind of lepaker they
are (how they spend their free
time), and to take away a list of
recommended books based on
their lepak personality.
The Singapore Alcove blurs the
lines between the exhibition and
the Singapore collection, which
allows patrons to browse/borrow
the collection and see Singapore
through the eyes of literature at
the exhibition.

27. RECONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• The Punggol Stories at Punggol Regional Library
comprises memories gathered from the National
Archives Singapore’s oral history collection, the
Singapore Memory Project (Punggol: Remembering the
Past, Inspiring the Future, courtesy of the Singapore
Institute of Technology (SIT)), and corporate and
individual contributors.
• The Punggol Stories also includes heritage items from
NLB’s collections, complemented by Singapore
Literature and Non-Fiction collection.
The Memories Corner at Central Public Library
features a multimedia showcase of the old National
Library stories, projected on the 5,000 red bricks
retained from the old National Library at Stamford
Road.

28. RECONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• Libraries present hyperlocal history, heritage and culture through Community Walls.
• The Community Wall at Choa Chu Kang Public Library features both historical and modern-day sections with elements
unique to the Choa Chu Kang, from its agricultural heritage to a transformation to agrotechnology and new generation
farms today.
• The Heritage section features interactive heritage elements, captures the story across four different time periods of Choa
Chu Kang. The Community section allows customers to contribute their own memories, experiences, and thoughts on the
wall, with the aim of fostering kampung spirit.
• An Augmented Reality (AR) learning trail and AR books on wildlife and natural landscapes were developed in collaboration
with Nanyang Technological University Singapore and sponsored by CapitaLand Hope Foundation.
Community contribution (Community section)
Community Wall (Heritage section)

29. RECONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• The Community Wall at Punggol Regional Library is located near the entrance. The community wall features the
stories of Punggol and its communities through tactile and digital formats, highlighting interesting aspects and local
community projects. The Wall facing outward showed a supergraphic map of Punggol featuring the landmarks, services
and facilities of the neighbourhood.
• NLB collaborated with the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), the Singapore Birds Project,
and the Nature Photographic Society, Singapore (NPSS) to curate content about wildlife and natural landscapes in
Punggol.

30. INCLUSIVE DESIGN
• The Punggol Library, a five-storey building situated within a
community hub, was designed with inclusivity in mind. The
project team worked closely with the architect ensuring a
barrier-free journey from the hub to the library and creating
integrated library spaces for Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs) and the public.
• The design, guided by Universal Design Principles, enables
everyone to read, learn, and discover within the same
environment. For example, the Toy Library was designed to cater
for children and those with special needs, and the Family Lounge
is open for all.
• The Library aims to address the limited accessibility of public
spaces for PwDs and is the first public library in the network to
incorporate PwD-centric infrastructure, facilities, and services.
• The planning of space usage, furniture and fitouts, signage and
wayfinding, lighting, special rooms and corners, assistive aids,
and the use of technology to facilitate the borrowing of library
materials underwent extensive consultation with the PwDs, the
professionals and caregivers.
• The NLB is the first government agency in
Singapore to achieve SG Enable’s Enabling
Mark (Platinum) accreditation in 2023, with
PRL being the key differentiating factor.
• One Punggol (the hub where the library is
located) has won the Universal Design
Excellence Award 2023 by the Building and
Construction Authority (BCA) citing PRL’s
inclusive and universal design.

31. INCLUSIVE DESIGN
• In library space planning, it is crucial to create a welcoming experience for everyone. This begins at the entrance, where
there is ample space for individuals in wheelchairs and parents with strollers to navigate, as well as a service
touchpoint for the visually impaired.
• Given the need for additional space at Punggol Regional library, it is even more crucial to optimize the space planning.
• A minimum clear floor space for the
wheelchair to turn.
• At a dead-end corridor for the wheelchair
to turn 180 degrees and return in the
other direction.
Clear floor space and 1800mm (W)
between furnishings (BCA code
states no less than 900mm x
1200mm.
A ramp was designed to connect between level 1 and
level 2 where the children’s collections and services are
located to facilitate the movement of families with
strollers. It also facilitates the movement of wheelchair
users between the 2 floors.

32. INCLUSIVE DESIGN
• In addition to meeting the fundamental requirements, we provided Calm Pods and adult changing tables for
those with special needs.
• Special attention was given to the design of the space’s lighting and the volume of announcement system, as
intense light and sound could trigger individuals who are more sensitive.
A private and safe space for PwDs to calm
down if they are feeling overwhelmed.
Each calm pod is equipped with an
occupancy indicator system that guides
patrons to the nearest available pods.
Adult changing tables are provided
in the accessible toilets to meet the
needs of PwDs.
Family Lounge offers a space for families with
young children/PwDs to have quick meals or
snacks.

33. INCLUSIVE DESIGN
• Adapted a “borrow-n-go” model to allow wheelchair users to simply pass through a dedicated passageway with books
they wish to borrow. The borrowing station is also placed near the accessible collection area to facilitate borrowing.
• The catalogue and multimedia stations are equipped with assistive devices such as coloured keyboards with larger
keys, UX-friendly and height-adjustable interfaces for seniors, individuals with visual impairment or in wheelchairs.
Accessible Collection
Assistive Technology and Devices
Borrow-n-Go

34. RECONNECT WITH THE SOCIETY
• Students from the MINDS Fernvale Gardens School visit Punggol Regional Library weekly to help maintain the Toy
Library.
• Café operator (Artease) employs PwDs as full-time staff and provides internships.
• PwDs are recruited by our outsourced vendor to assist in the shelving of books.
• Punggol Regional Library has collaborated with ART:DIS to showcase and offer artworks created by PwDs for sale.

35. Thank you

36. Q&A Session
Facilitators
Please type your questions in the Q&A chat box.
Antonia Mocatta
Director of Central Services,
University of Sydney Library.
Email: antonia.mocatta@sydney.edu.au
Priscilla Pun
Head of Technical Process
University of Macau Library
Email: nipun@um.edu.mo

37. Thank you for joining