User:Kongwy96

=Old National Library Building - Singapore=

Introduction
The Old National Library is Singapore’s first free public library. The library was the first National Library in Singapore which was accessible to all and provided books in the four vernacular languages which could be borrowed for free. It was established in 12 November 1960 after obtaining building funds from donor Lee Kong Chian and the British government and was located at 91 Stamford Road. It was demolished in 2004 to make way for the construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel to help smooth traffic to the city and free up prime land for the construction of the SMU City Campus. The news of demolition plans of the Old National Library sparked public discourse where Singaporeans petitioned and expressed their desire for the building to be saved from demolition and preserved as a national monument. The public controversy its demolition stirred highlighted a young nation’s conflict between choosing conservation or demolish of heritage buildings for the development of a nation, and heightened historical and cultural awareness in Singaporeans.

Architectural Design of the Old National Library
A vernacular red brick building designed and constructed by the Public Works department. The building emulates the red-brick epoch of British Architecture. It has a gross floor area of 10242m² and housed a variety of programmatic spaces that catered to local needs. This included a reference library, children and adult reading sections, an air-conditioned lecture hall, and a five-storey stack of research and reference materials, a Southeast Asia Room and a microfilm unit.

Funding of the Old National Library
In 1953, eminent Chinese community leader, generous donor and multi-millionaire Lee Kong Chian donated a total of $375000 to fund Singapore’s first free public library, and this amount funded half of the total building cost with the remaining contributed by the government. The donation was made with the condition that the library would expand its book collection in the other vernacular languages of Singapore other than English and this includes Chinese, Malay and Tamil. The deal was accepted readily by the British government.

1823-WW2
The establishment of National Library in Singapore is said to date as far back as 1823 and has its roots linked to Sir Stamford Raffles who is the founding father of colonial Singapore. He had started a small private collection of books in Singapore Institution at Stamford Road. The Library was exclusive and accessible only by the British and privileged classes. In 1845, the library became known as the Singapore Library and was Singapore’s first public library. Being a private enterprise, library members had to pay monthly subscriptions to access and borrow the book collection. In 1887, the library expanded to include a museum and became known as Raffles Library and Museum. It helped catalog the early history of Singapore through texts and artifacts. The library remained exclusive, with accessibility limited to only the privileged classes.

World War 2
During the Japanese Invasion in 1942, Raffles Library transformed into a Regimental Aid Station for the British and Australian Army. A few months later, the British surrendered to the Japanese and the Japanese Army took over the ownership of the library and renamed it to Shonan Library. The library was only reopened to the public in celebration of Japanese Emperor Hirohito’s birthday. To protect the invaluable collection of the Museum and Library, E.I.H Corner and Sir Shenton Thomas met and persuaded Japanese scientists and nobles and managed to persuade them to retain it. During this period, the library expanded its collection of abandoned books and journals from Malaya states. The library was patronized mostly by the Japanese, and captured Europeans helped to create propaganda for Japanese to help justify invasion.

Post WW2 -Establishment of the Old National Library
In 1945 after Japanese surrender, reigns of the library and museum was transferred to the British Military Administration. The library managed to retain its invaluable academia collection through the warring period from preservation efforts by the Japanese. In 1953, eminent Chinese community leader, generous donor and multi-millionaire Lee Kong Chian donated a total of $375000 to fund Singapore’s first free public library, and this amount funded half of the total building cost with the remaining contributed by the government. The donation was made with the condition that the library would expand its book collection in the other vernacular languages of Singapore other than English and this includes Chinese, Malay and Tamil. The deal was accepted readily by the British government, and demolishment of the old St Andrew’s Chapel and British Council Hall commenced to make way for the construction of the National Library at the foot of Fort Canning Road along Stamford Road. The site was chosen as it near several civic and educational institutions around the Fort Canning and Bras Bash area. In 1960, the Old National Library was established at Stamford Road with then-president Yusoff Bin Ishak officiating the opening.

Activities held at the Old National Library
Old National Library was a place Singaporeans from all works of life. It had a book collection which had books in the four vernacular languages of English, Chinese, Malay and Tami which catered to all races. It helped promote reading in four vernacular languages and cultivate reading habits in Singaporeans of all ages. There were a variety of activities which took place at the Old National Library. The library conducted story telling sessions for children to cultivate in them reading habits and various talks targeted at teenagers. The library was a place of study for student in the adjacent schools flocked, and for elderly people to linger and spend their leisure time reading away. The library was a growth bed for the local art scene. The library promoted books written by local writers and encouraged the reading local literature in the 4 vernacular languages. The Courtyard was a space where the local arts community from The Substation would gather. For example, women writers would meet at the courtyard to discuss literature every alternate Friday evening

The Courtyard Café and The Fountain
The courtyard was added during the expansion and upgrade of the Old National Library in 1997 “One memory is of the courtyard where women writers gathered to discuss the finger points of literature every alternate Friday evening in the late 1990s over coffee. It was where I built fellowship with literary women from all walks of life…It offered us a sense of belonging and empowerment”-Santi Yeo

Balustrade: front porch with steps leading to library entrance
I particularly like the corridor leading up to the main entrance of the library where my classmates and I used to wait for each other…was a hive of activity then and it was fun to watch visitors to the library passing by, as I waited for my friends…”-Dr Amy Khor

Library Canteen
“I have fond memories of the canteen, especially the dry wanton noodles and char siew noodles…what a simple luxury. I wonder where these nice folks are today” -Ng Suan Eng

Civic and Cultural District Masterplan
In 1998, Civic and Cultural District (CCD) Master Plan was drawn up with the goal to “maximise the historical wealth of natural and man-made assets and opportunities…to revitalise Singapore’s civic and cultural hub”. It recognised the strength of the area and labelled it as a “Centre of Cultural Activities”. The Master Plan involved key cultural institutions which included Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, National Museum and Art Gallery, and National Library. The next month, MND Minister conducted a dialogue facilitated between professionals including “planners, architects, real estate developers, property consultants and engineers” [Skyline Vol 33/88, Mar/Apr 1988] to review the CCD Master plan. The dialogue reviewed many of URA’S microplanning proposals where one proposed the demolition of National Library to create “a clear view of Fort Canning Hill from Bras Basah Park”. This proposal was rejected for many then felt that the building had historical significance and needed to be preserved [The Straits Times, 29 May 1988, pg 148]. Plans for a New National Library In 1989, MCD revealed Parliament plans to build a new National Library building. Professionals and the public wanted the New National Library to play an expanded role with a focus on new areas like academic research, forming a collection of Asian literary works in original languages, and be technologically advanced and equipped with the latest technology. Plans for a new National Library was confirmed in 1990 by MCD and was announced to be located at Queen Street, the site of former Raffles Girls’ School.

Revised Civic and Cultural District Masterplan
In 1992, revised CCD Master Plan first mentioned construction of Fort Canning Tunnel. It mentioned that in consideration of an increased traffic stemming from new developments in Marina Centre and Marina South to Orchard areas, construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel would enable motorists to bypass these traffic junctions, avoid passing in front of the National Museum to give the museum area a tranquil, smooth major traffic intersections in front of Cathay Building, cutting down travel time. It also mentioned the re-alignment of Stamford road, and that construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel would commence “after the National Library is relocated to Victoria Street” [ST, 21 Feb 1992].

1997 Museum Area Master Plan
The 1997 Museum Area Masterplan revealed unchanged plans in constructing Fort Canning Tunnel but made no mention of any demolition plans of Old National Library. In the same year, Old National Library closed to upgrade its facilities by adding Information and Technological Facilities, increase its book collection size to 80000, and added the courtyard. The facelift cost a total of $2.6 million and the library reopened in 1998.

Public Discourse
In 1998, a letter to The Straits Times Forum page mentioned the possibility of demolition of the Old National Library to free up land for SMU’s City Campus, shortly after announcements that the campus of the then newly formed SMU would be located at Bras Basah Area and this had included the site of the Old National Library. News of the Old National Library’s potential demolition sparked public discourse amongst typically passive Singaporeans, along with the revelation of the drastic physical environmental changes in the Singapore landscape for developmental purposes. Plenty of public letters and featured columns by journalists appeared on newspapers, which culminated in a full spread feature in Lianhe Zaobao which examined the apparent crisis overshadowing the gradually disappearing heritage landmarks of Singapore, as well as shared memories of Singaporean [LHZB, 28 March 1999]. In response to public dissent, SMU held a public symposium a year later at Singapore Art Museum to seek opinions on its campus masterplan, and it was at that period that URA first revealed definitive plans to demolish the Old National Library. In 2000, SMU did a workshop to get feedback from architectural professionals and obtained 3 alternative proposals. One of the proposals was from Architect Tay Kheng Soon, who conducted a press conference at The Substation to reveal his unofficial SMU masterplan which involved sinking Bras Basah Park, retaining the course of Stamford Road, reroute tunnel and ultimately saving the Old National Library Building from being demolished. Despite public protest and efforts to save the building from demolishment, Minister of National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced in Parliament that the National Library building would be demolished to create a more tranquil and people-friendly Civic District.

Changes to Site - URA’S Plans for Museum Planning Area
With the Old National Library demolished, the Fort Canning Tunnel started construction in 2003 and was completed in 2007. In 2006, SMU’s City Campus was officially opened with its School of Accountancy Building being situated near the site of Old National Library. There was also the re-alignment of Stamford Road and the re-shaping of Bras Basah Park. The re-alignment of Stamford Road was said to make travelling by motorists to Bras Basah and Little India smoother. With construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel, traffic vehicles heading in the direction of Penang Road would have their travel time cut down from 15 mins to 8 seconds for it enables motorists to bypass multiple traffic junctions. From Stamford Road, they would pass through the straight-cut 350m long Fort Canning Tunnel to get directly to Penang Road. Previously to get to Penang Road, they would have to pass through a circuitous road traversing through Orchard Road before getting to Penang Road.

Remains of Old National Library
At the original site, only two red-bricked entrance pillars which lie near Fort Canning Tunnel remain. At the New National Library, around 5000 red bricks were kept from the Old National Library and used to build a wall in the bamboo garden within the building in remembrance and commemoration of the Old National Library.

A public library for Singaporeans
The Old National Library was a people’s building and served as a popular public realm for Singaporeans from all walks of life. It was Singapore’s first free public library – the library was accessible to all and books in all four vernacular languages could be borrowed with no fees charged. The library promoted inclusivity and catered to all Singaporeans of different racial and social background through the providence of books in all vernacular languages for free. The library was frequented by Singaporeans from all walks of life and facilitated a variety of activities ranging from story-telling sessions for kids and talks for teens, a place for students from adjacent schools to study and for the elderly to spend their leisure time reading, as well as a place of congregation for writers to discuss their works. This was unlike its predecessors whose accessibility and book collection were only for exclusive specific racial and social classes. The Old National Library embodies the idea of the first noble attempt in a library in Singapore where there is equal representations of cultures and languages. It also embodies Mr Lee Kong Chian’s noble vision for a young Singapore to be a democratic and multi-racial, religious and cultural society. Old National Library promoted the local art scene

The library promoted books written by local writers and encouraged the reading local literature in the 4 vernacular languages. The Courtyard was a space where the local arts community from The Substation would gather. For example, women writers would meet at the courtyard to discuss literature every alternate Friday evening

Building reflects Singapore’s progress since independence
Established a few years before Singapore’s independence, the Old National Library oversaw Singapore’s political and social development from colonial times to an independent nation, from poverty to affluence and illiteracy to literacy. The building is reflective of Singapore’s progress since independence, and according to Lau Wai Har, the building can “serve as an anchor for reminding us of our struggle for independence and strengthens our sense of belonging”.

Public Protests
The “Red Brick Building” meant to Singaporeans as evident from the public dissent that arose after news of its potential demolition spread through media. In 1998, a letter to The Straits Times Forum page mentioned the possibility of demolition of the Old National Library to free up land for SMU’s City Campus, shortly after announcements that the campus of the then newly formed SMU would be located at Bras Basah Area and this had included the site of the Old National Library. News of the Old National Library’s potential demolition sparked public discourse amongst typically passive Singaporeans, along with the revelation of the drastic physical environmental changes in the Singapore landscape for developmental purposes. Plenty of public letters and featured columns by journalists appeared on newspapers, which culminated in a full spread feature in Lianhe Zaobao which examined the apparent crisis overshadowing the gradually disappearing heritage landmarks of Singapore, as well as shared memories of Singaporean [LHZB, 28 March 1999]. In response to public dissent, SMU held a public symposium a year later at Singapore Art Museum to seek opinions on its campus masterplan, and it was at that period that URA first revealed definitive plans to demolish the Old National Library. In 2000, SMU did a workshop to get feedback from architectural professionals and obtained 3 alternative proposals. One of the proposals was from Architect Tay Kheng Soon, who conducted a press conference at The Substation to reveal his unofficial SMU masterplan which involved sinking Bras Basah Park, retaining the course of Stamford Road, reroute tunnel and ultimately saving the Old National Library Building from being demolished. Despite public protest and efforts to save the building from demolishment, Minister of National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced in Parliament that the National Library building would be demolished to create a more tranquil and people-friendly Civic District.

Fort Canning Tunnel
The Fort Canning Tunnel was proposed to ease traffic congestion along Stamford Road and decrease travel time In URA’s proposal for the Museum Planning Area, it states that over 3000 vehicles pass through Stamford Road hourly during peak periods and Motorists would need stop at 2 traffic lights, making area prone to congestion. According to the URA’S Revised CCD Masterplan, in consideration of an increased traffic stemming from new developments in Marina Centre and Marina South to Orchard areas, construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel would enable motorists to bypass these traffic junctions, avoid passing in front of the National Museum to give the museum area a tranquil, smooth major traffic intersections in front of Cathay Building, and reduce travel time from 5 minutes to 18 seconds. The construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel results in a formation of a grid pattern which can bring about more efficient land use for the adjacent Singapore Management University city campus. Despite the claimed pros, there are cons of the Fort Canning Tunnel voiced by certain netizens. Firstly, the building and maintenance of the Fort Canning Tunnel involves a sizeable sum of money. $34000000 was spent on the construction of the Fort Canning Tunnel and the tunnel involves high maintenance costs. Secondly, the significance in the reduction of travel time from 5 minutes to 18 seconds with the Fort Canning tunnel is relative and varies for everyone. For some motorists, they may perceive the additional travel time as leisure time and enjoyable and perceive the reduction in time as a dampener. Lastly, buses that leave the Capitol Building bus stop must edge across two lanes to turn right before the tunnel, and this dampens traffic along Stamford Road. Stamford Road is still congested during peak hours even with the Fort Canning tunnel, and the reduction in travel time may be questionable.

The National Library
The National Library of Singapore was completed in 2005 and is located at 100 Victoria Street. It replaced the Old National Library at Stamford Street and is the headquarters of the National Library Board. It has a gross floor area of 58,000m2 and is 16 storeys high. The environmentally friendly building is designed by Malaysian architect Ken Yeang and was awarded the Green Mark Platinum Award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore in 2005 and top prize in the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Award in 2007. The building comprises of two adjacent blocks connected by bridges on the upper floors and this forms an in-between atrium which funnels air through for natural ventilation. Some of its energy saving features include automatic blinds, sun shading around façade to block sun rays, daylight sensors to dim or switch off lights when there is enough daylighting, light shelves that direct sunlight deeper into the building to maximise daylighting, rain sensors that off sprinklers when there is enough water. It boasts 14 landscaped gardens and the incorporation of these green spaces serve to aid in regulating daytime temperature of the building. Out of the 14 gardens, only 2 of the green gardens are always open and accessible to the public, with one being called The Courtyard on Level 5 and the other The Retreat and situated level 10. The other green gardens are only open to the public for specific events such as outdoor book reading sessions. The National Library consists of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, Central Public Library and a 615-seat Drama Centre. The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library is a reference and research library that houses specialized collections on Singapore and Southeast Asia, as well as general reference collections for learning and research. The Central Public Library boasts a wide book collection of non-fiction and fiction books which include visual, creative and literary arts, and business management and many more.

=Reference=

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