New mini mobile libraries to reach more preschools in HDB estates

New mini mobile libraries to reach more preschools in HDB estates

SINGAPORE - Two small mobile libraries will join the National Library Board's (NLB) existing big mobile library bus, "Molly", to bring more books to children.

The "mini Mollys" were launched on Thursday, May 8, at the My First Skool childcare centre at Haig Road by Ms Sim Ann, Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of Education.

Sponsored by the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, the mini mobile libraries are custom-designed to provide children with an immersive library experience. On each trip, a mini Molly can carry more than 1,500 books.

The 7.5m-long mini Molly, which is equipped with an internal book-drop and a borrowing station, can receive up to 12 young readers on-board at a time. Besides books, the mini Mollys will also have librarians who will organise activities such as storytelling, arts and craft, and sing-a-long sessions to enhance the children's reading experience.

These new mobile libraries will serve mostly kindergartens and childcare centres in HDB estates. Each year, about 48,000 children from 160 preschools will benefit from this service.

Besides preschools, the mini Mollys will also visit welfare homes with smaller car parks, which cannot be served by the big mobile library bus.

Mrs Elaine Ng, Chief Executive Officer, NLB, said, "With the addition of the new vehicles, the Molly fleet will reach 235 organisations a year, almost three times the number of locations. The mini Mollys will bring books and library programmes to preschools at least once a month. We can now bring books to more children, and start their reading journey from young."

Interested preschools or welfare organisations which are keen to have a Molly mobile library visit their location can send in their requests to helpdesk@library.nlb.gov.sg.

abrahamr@sph.com.sg

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