ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN (Branch Library)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture whether there are plans to build a library in Ang Mo Kio New Town and when it will be completed; and, in the meantime, if he will consider providing the residents with a Mobile Library Service as soon as possible.

The Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Speaker, Sir, a site next to the Ang Mo Kio Town Centre Complex has been selected for a branch library. Plans for its construction are being finalised. The branch library, which will serve a population of 250,000, is scheduled for completion in early 1983.

The provision of a temporary mobile library service to residents has been considered, but the two community centres in Ang Mo Kio have been found to be unsuitable as bases for such a service as they have limited storage space for books and inadequate parking facilities. The National Library will, however, continue to explore other possibilities. In the meantime, residents in Ang Mo Kio can use the Toa Payoh Branch Library or the Paya Lebar and Tampines mobile library services.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am happy to inform the Minister that the new community centre in Ang Mo Kio is likely to be completed by the end of this year. With this new community centre, there will definitely be enough space for a mobile library. Will the Minister consider providing this mobile library service by the end of this year when the new centre is completed?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Yes, Sir. I will definitely ask the Director of National Library to look into this possibility.