Stretching Existing Resources Staying Relevant

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Stretching Existing Resources Staying
Relevant Singapore public libraries response to
a changing dynamic landscape
Sharon Thien Assistant Director Public Library
Services National Library Board, Singapore
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Key Trends
Rising Customer Expectations Shifting values
different/new EXPERIENCES Customer delights
BASICS The NETWORKDED customer individual in a
global community - mobility of information
content Changing Local Landscape Black Swans,
Wild Cards Wicked Problems sudden
unexpected food fuel price increases, growing
communal tensions Increased need for corporate
governance/Value-for-Money scrutiny/tighter
cost-management focus
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New Needs
Info/media literacy skills A discerning and
sophisticated citizenry Timely, accurate
information, relevant to needs Engage local
communities, Remain relevant to global
audience Community bonding cohesion Beyond
economic competitiveness Hyper Competition Need
to up the liveability index of Singapore --gt
rejuvenation of libraries, new experiments such
as youth library in downtown Orchard Road and a
Sports library
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Stretching Resources, Staying Relevant
Creativity thru Read Learn
Active Citizenry
Library 2.0
The Librarys Response
Capacity/Capability Management
Changing Service Model
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Active Citizenry
Junior Reading Ambassadors 13 school-going
children, nominated by schools and selected by
NLB 3-day June camp gt public/school events
poster boys/girls
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Creativity thru Read Learn
MOLLY Mobile Library
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Creativity thru Read Learn
21 May 31 August 2008 Home and Away

• 3000 audio books of short stories feature
  forewords by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and
  other political leaders
• The short stories are read by radio personalities
• Distributed free to welfare organizations
• Target Hospitality Service Industries (eg
  hotels)
• Tie-up with local airline, SilkAir, for a
  reading on board programme

Video Clip
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BookCross_at_Sg

• Official Hotspots
• Café Galilees
• SMRT Taxis
• Café Cartel
• Quarterly Socials
• Monthly Meet-ups

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Read Reap

• Promote reading through thought-provoking
  excerpts from books
• Reflect the issues and generate common
  conversations
• Pick up read the book suggested titles

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Library 2.0
JustShare
This is a new feature that we have introduced on
our Public Library website (www.pl.sg) which
allows library users to share photos that they
have taken according the categories available.
Shoot it. Share it. Watch the world through the
lens of others. It is a platform for users to
Share and Learn through pictures. Users can
share, browse and co-manage learning-related
pictures and content. It seeks to capture
learning experience through photos and text. It
allows users to learn from others experiences,
perspective and approaches that may be of
interest to them, and for them to share their
ideas and perspective with others.
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Stretching Resources

• Capacity/Capability Development
• Collection Makeover systematic refreshing of
  library collections
• Staff Engagement Librarians as the FACE in the
  community
• Use of Caricatures photos as bylines in blog
  posts
• New recruitment strategy direct involvement of
  librarians

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Stretching Resources
Changing Service Model Best sourcing Public
Private Partnership
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THANK YOU