SINCE its launch in April last year, the National Library Board's (NLB) mobile library has reached out to 58,000 people, of whom 1,400 borrowed library books for the first time.

Christened Molly, the mobile library is a donated bus that was retrofitted into a self-sufficient library-on- wheels.

It was created to take library services to those who cannot visit conventional libraries often, such as children in special schools and orphanages.

It visits up to 20 such organisations for the underprivileged each month upon their request, and has seen more than 75,000 book loans so far.

It can carry on board up to 3,000 books out of its total collection of 20,000 at one time. These are chosen to suit the profiles of the organisations visited.

Ms Dorothy Ng, 50, who teaches intellectually disabled children at Fernvale Gardens School, said: 'The children are always very excited when the bus comes. The books they borrow also allow us to learn more about their interests.'

To mark the mobile library's first birthday, a commemorative book and four picture books on the adventures of Molly the mobile library and her vehicular friends were launched yesterday. The picture books were written by librarians using ideas from some 60 special school students.

NLB's chief executive, Dr N. Varaprasad, said: 'This first anniversary celebrates the experience and achievements of Molly's users. Many of them have learning difficulties... but have shown immense strength and interest in taking steps to explore and learn.'

Organisations interested in the mobile library's services can e-mail helpdesk@nlb.gov.sg or call 6332- 3255.

CHIA YAN MIN

This article was first published in The Straits Times.