So… I haven’t done any library tours in over a year (thanks, pandemic), but I recently went to Harbourfront Library and it is so pretty I had to share.

Located in what was Singapore’s largest shopping centre at its time of opening, Library@Harbourfront was opened in 2019 and is the newest public library in Singapore. According to The Remaking of Singapore’s Public Libraries, Library@Harbourfront is the seventh library under the Libraries of the Future masterplan. This 3000 sqm library has a view of the harbour and Sentosa and it’s conceptual theme is “beyond the horizon” with lots of wave motifs.

This is the entrance of the library. I’m just guessing, but I’m thinking that one reason why it’s located inside a large mall is because the Libary@Harbourfront aims to attract more non-library users. Currently, COVID-19 regulations mean that everyone entering the library has to check in using TraceTogether (for contact tracing), have their temperature taken, and we have maximum capacity limits (and time limits for how long you can spend in the library).

As soon as you enter, you’ll see the bookdrop slots. This is a pretty fun feature because the walls are glass, so you can see the books fall on to the conveyer belt and the librarians working inside.

The left side of the library is the children’s area. I don’t come here too much, but the tinker truck reminded me that the Library@Harbourfront is the first library with a dedicated maker space for tweens and children. I suppose the tinker truck is the space for kids.

These booths are ‘learning pods’, where you can sit and access programmes like TED Talks. There are lots of innovations from earlier Libraries of the Future found here, such as reservation lockers, angled shelves, the aforementioned learning pods, distinct zones for kids and adults, and a large volunteer-run space. 

I didn’t really see any obvious wave motifs but there are a lot of curves in this library so I suppose that’s what they mean? These shelves are the fiction shelves, but I’ve read that the nonfiction collection “has been configured to enhance the discovery of related books”. Titles are clustered together and clusters have integrated electronic displays where ebooks on the same topic are available. It’s definitely paying off because I find it very easy to look for nonfiction books here!

Every time I visit this library, I can see volunteers helping out. I think it’s nice that they have prominent reminders for patrons so that everyone can help keep this library orderly.

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The last set of pictures I have are of the reading areas! There are two reading areas, both of which face the habour. The shelves among the seats here tend to be large, heavy books, with an emphasis on design (or any topic where pictures are useful). It’s a very nice place to sit down and read, especially if you’re not in the mood for shopping.

The interactive spaces were closed when I last visited, but when the library opened, the intention was for this library branch to pilot learning programmes centred on virtual reality and augmented reality. I really hope that these programs can be resumed in the future.

Library@Harbourfront is very close to Sentosa, one of the larger tourist attractions in Singapore. So if you’re visiting the country in the future and you’re in the area, I think it’s worth stopping by!