BRANCH LIBRARY AT YISHUN

Mr Ho Peng Kee asked the Minister for Information and the Arts what is the status of the project to build a branch Library at Yishun.

The Minister for Information and the Arts (BG George Yong-Boon Yeo): Mr Speaker, Sir, MITA is undertaking a major review of the long-term role of the National Library. The review will study the number, size and location of public libraries that will be needed for the next ten years. Mr Tan Chin Nam, the Chairman of the National Computer Board, has agreed to chair a Library 2000 Review Committee.

In the past, our policy for the construction of libraries was based on simple population norms. With the increasing use of information technology in libraries, with changing lifestyles, higher expectations and more variegated needs of the community, it is necessary to review this basis. Building huge branch libraries, each catering to a population of 200,000 may no longer be the best way to meet the library and information needs of our society.

Pending the recommendations of the Review Committee, all plans for the building of new branch libraries are suspended with the exception of Tampines Branch Library, work on which has already been tendered out.