Take a peek into the happenings at Library @ Trikora, during our 1st Mobile Library Launch, by clicking on the play button! (Side note: Plug in good earphones and watch with 720p or better!)
We are pleased to announce the launch of our 1st Mobile Library, and perhaps the only Children’s Mobile Library in operation as of now, in Bintan Island/Riau Islands.
The birth of this idea was set since June/July this year with regards to expanding our youth outreach. And, we thought this December school holidays would be the best time for the kids to enjoy the facility as part of their enrichment break from their year-end examinations. Thankfully, our launch on the 10th of Dec proved to be a successful and positive one!
The weekly Mobile Library service runs on Sundays, servicing to 3 different villages in the Northern coast of the island namely Teluk Dalam, Sialang and Panglong, with Panglong being the furthest stop of a little over 25km from Library @ Trikora. In addition to solving the challenges of distance and physical accessibility which previously put youths residing 15-25km from our Library at a disadvantage, the Mobile Library at the same time helps to address the vital need of a library service in the rural coast while providing the kids with a unique pop-up Library experience.
Map overview of close proximity between Singapore and Bintan Island
Our route in sequence: Maria Cave in Teluk Dalam, TIF Learning Centre in Sialang and Panglong Fishing Village
The Mobile Library requires at least 400 books per run, and just after the 1st round, half of the books were off the shelves (borrowed). Yes, we have similarly implemented a borrowing system for the members of The Mobile Library. Schooling children ages 6 and above (Primary 1 onwards) are encouraged to sign up as a Library member, and will then be issued a Library card which can be used for borrowing and returning purposes. Based on our current resources, the borrowing quota is as of now capped at 2 books per member – with a borrowing duration of 1 week. We are tipping close to 90 members for The Mobile Library and the number is expected to increase in 2018 as more kids will be enrolled in Primary 1.
Kids queueing patiently to return books
The Mobile Library concept is indeed new to the village kids . Hence, it will take patience and training for our members to get used to the idea and responsibility of borrowing and returning of books. We are happy to reveal statistics of close to 90% book return on the 2nd round and no doubt, these youths are getting the grip of what it takes to be responsible Library users even though the idea of a Library in the village was previously non-existent.
The execution of The Mobile Library is certainly one of the best decisions we’ve made so far and perhaps the greatest highlight for Library @ Trikora this year. A big thank you to all who made this possible! Varying book donors from both Indonesia and Singapore, including major book sponsors – Pansing Singapore and Penguin Random House, and of course our friends who volunteered during our launch. Thank you all for your support!
From left to right: Francisca, Rilia, Giovanna, Uncle Joseph, Aunty Cheryl, Chloe, Doni, Uncle Han Sing, Nendra
Library at Trikora 