The Carpark(2004)
The National Library Building (cicra. 1960). TAKE NOTE of the gateposts and fences in the picture. Note also the road just in front of the library, i.e Stamford Road
The Driveway (2004)
The General Lending Collection (2004)
The Foyer ( cicra. 1970s/80s). Note that in the background, the place where there are chairs, is the counter where you lend and return your books using the Browne system of loaning books.
Exterior of the National Library Building (2004). Note the floor. It's made out of something like bricks.
The balustrade (a small little comfy box for people to rest)
TO THESE REMAINS....
The Entrance. Nothing is left now, except the gateposts. Did you note the gateposts from the first photograph. Yes, only the gateposts and fences remains. The grasspatch is front of the gatepost was Stamford Road. They re-aligned the road and this formerly-busy road is now a patch of grass. Ironic eh? Fences and gateposts are used to protect buildings, but now, the gateposts and fences remain, with its 2 former occupants long gone. ( The other occupancy was the British Council Building, which gave way for the construction of the library in 1957)
The Gatepost (2009)
I told you to note the floor before right? So yes, this is the floor. The workers has forgotten to demolish this, or they decide to leave a piece of memory here? It is currently covered with grass, apparently....
In front of the gatepost was Stamford Road
Here are some interesting facts for everybody to know. Enjoy:D
-The National Library was opened on 12 December 1960, by President Yusof Ishak.
-Sri Datuk Lee Kong Chian also contributed significantly to the construction of the library
-1st head of Librian was Mrs Hedwig Anwar, who occupied the Head Librian Position till 1988 (Long, eh?)
-The National Library became a satutory board in 1995 (National Library Board)
-The Library has only 1 lift, for staff use, and it breaks down rather frequently.
-The coffeeshop outside the library has many fond memories for Singaporeans. The coffeeshop was a zinc-shack, and has only 3 stores: A wantan noodles stall, an ice kachang stall and a malay cooked food stall. Most will have memories of an old lady selling Wantan Noodles(30cents then only) and the flies-infested Ice-kachang(who cares about hygiene then?). Try asking your parents. I think they will know. Their generation mahh...;D
-The Library was slated for demolishment in 1998. Following that, there was a groundswell of dissent ny the public, many opposing to the demolishment. Despite the strong oppostion, the library had no choice but to open its door for the last time on 31st March 2004.
Hong Yi, then...
