For the first time, Singapore played host to the 79th IFLA World Library and Information Congress. And our colleagues from Singapore Polytechnic (SP) Library were in the thick of it.
They volunteered at the trade exhibition held in conjunction with the congress and also played host to some of the visitors who came to the campus.
SP Library Director Mrs Fang Sin Guek (second from left) with Ms Helen Durndell (extreme left) and other IFLA delegates at Da Vinci Level.
At the trade exhibition, Ms Melisa Ong presented a talk on SP’s mobile service Go! MobilExp. These stations provide the latest mobile devices for easy access and a mobile experience of SP’s e-books, digital magazines and apps from Nexus to iPad tablets. Also, Ms Goh Beng Hwee presented on the transformation of a whole floor of the library into Da Vinci Level, inspired by inventor Leonardo Da Vinci. Using Design Thinking, the floor boasts of Architecture and Design students’ own creations from functioning furniture to exhibits and, of course, library resources on design and architecture.
SP’s exhibits at the Singapore Pavilion booth, together with displays from other local libraries.
SP Manager Ms Khoo Ai Ling described the event as a rare opportunity for librarians and like-minded people to meet and share their experiences. “It was nice to meet and share battle stories; regardless of whether you are from Singapore or Canada, we all share the same goal, which is to help users.”
Having brought parts of Da Vinci Level to IFLA, Ms Khoo recounted: “Visitors were intrigued with the writeable tables and study pods. Some were impressed enough to visit us and see for themselves!”
Our Director, Mrs Fang Sin Guek said: “The whole floor is made to be cosy and once you step in, you will feel right at home.” Besides the bean bags, a magazine wall and the LEGO sets also make the place conducive for creativity.
One of them who popped by SP Library, Ms Helen Durndell, University Librarian from University of Glasgow, took in the Da Vinci Level and concluded: “When will the next one be up?”
Contributed by:
Kylie Chia, Management Support Officer
Singapore Polytechnic Library
(Edited from original article published in SP Staff Portal by Dept of Corporate
Communications on 26 Aug 2013)