The Choa Chu Kang Public Library may be closed for renovation but residents can still access books and materials they love.

 

The Choa Chu Kang Public Library (CCKPL) may be closed for renovation and won’t be reopening until 2021, but residents can still access books and materials they love. Part of a pilot initiative, the National Library Board (NLB) has introduced its first-ever Book Dispenser @ Choa Chu Kang, where patrons can conveniently browse and borrow a selection of curated books, eBooks and materials for all ages.

Through its interactive screen, patrons can also pick up their reserved books and other materials at the dispenser – much like the reservation lockers at the libraries. The Book Dispenser can hold 352 books at any one time (88 slots dedicated to reserved items and 264 remaining slots for physical books which can be borrowed). To fit in the Book Dispenser, these items must not be more than 18cm (length), 25cm (height), 2.5cm (width/thickness).

Patrons can borrow and collect reserved books from the Book Dispenser using their NLB mobile app eCard or NLB library membership cards. The collection and information functions on the Book Dispenser’s interactive screen can be accessed by all and there is an instructional panel to guide patrons on navigating the screen.

The Book Dispenser contains a selection of physical English language books chosen from NLB’s popular collections. The books available for borrowing span a range of age groups and will be replenished daily so patrons can access fresh and up-to-date materials. Any item that remains in the dispenser after 15 days will be removed and replaced the next day.

The loan quota, renewal privileges, and loan periods for materials borrowed from the Book Dispenser are the same as those from the other public libraries. Patrons may return their borrowed materials at any public library (excluding CCKPL), including the nearby Bukit Batok Public Library (BBPL) and Bukit Panjang Public Library (BPPL). Those wanting to renew their materials can do so with the NLB mobile app, or at any book borrowing station (BBS) or the reservation lockers at the public libraries.

Patrons can use the Book Dispenser’s interactive screen to browse, borrow and download eBooks for offline access using the OverDrive or Libby app. The Book Dispenser also serves as a pick-up location for patrons to collect their reserved books, magazines and audio-visual (AV) materials. The Book Dispenser does not have a payment function and patrons can pay their fee(s) prior to collecting their reserved item(s), via www.nlb.gov.sg/myLibrary/account/payonline, through the NLB mobile app, or at any of the public library e-Kiosks or reservation lockers using Cash Card, EZ-Link or NETS.

 

** The Book Dispenser is located at level 1 (opposite The Body Shop, #01-14) of Lot One Shoppers’ Mall in Choa Chu Kang, with operating hours that run parallel to those of the mall: Mondays to Sundays, 10am to 10pm. 

 

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