Malaysia's public libraries.

[forrestcat]

I am from KL and have known the National Library as the only library i have ever been to. I also managed to use the library at INTEC college. After seeing the libraries in OZ..I feel so embarrassed of our National Library. The libraries here are simple and well stocked with good books..while the National Library in Malaysia have books that are fit as paper lama.I can't imagine what other libraries in other states have.

Could we start posting pics of public libraries in Malaysia if possible.Discussion about public libraries in Malaysia would be welcomed.

I believe our government should build more libraries in urban areas or at least let the public access the libraries at IPTAs and some IPTAs charge a fortune on civillians wanting to use their libraries.But then, are Malaysians civic enough to return the books....for all I know.....some 3rd world mentality Malaysians may render our public libraries empty after several months.I feel more and more young Malaysians have diffuculty reading since they watch more TV and surf the internet more than reading (books are kinda expensive now) while parents don't bother teaching their children to read due to work.Those born in 80's or eearly 90's can read well I believe because we watch less TV and surf no internet and parents then do teach their children to read, I know my mom taught me to read every weekend..with a cane too..which scared the reading bug into me .

[AFL]

Originally Posted by forrestcat

I am from KL and have known the National Library as the only library i have ever been to. I also managed to use the library at INTEC college. After seeing the libraries in OZ..I feel so embarrassed of our National Library. The libraries here are simple and well stocked with good books..while the National Library in Malaysia have books that are fit as paper lama.I can't imagine what other libraries in other states have.

Could we start posting pics of public libraries in Malaysia if possible.Discussion about public libraries in Malaysia would be welcomed.

I believe our government should build more libraries in urban areas or at least let the public access the libraries at IPTAs and some IPTAs charge a fortune on civillians wanting to use their libraries.But then, are Malaysians civic enough to return the books....for all I know.....some 3rd world mentality Malaysians may render our public libraries empty after several months.I feel more and more young Malaysians have diffuculty reading since they watch more TV and surf the internet more than reading (books are kinda expensive now) while parents don't bother teaching their children to read due to work.Those born in 80's or eearly 90's can read well I believe because we watch less TV and surf no internet and parents then do teach their children to read, I know my mom taught me to read every weekend..with a cane too..which scared the reading bug into me .

isn't that surfing the internet also involve some reading?

[forrestcat]

Young peopel nowadays use Internet to play games and download anime ...they dun read forums or online newspapers.

[jeeshyan]

Ipoh got some public libraries. Tun Razak Library and the Perak State Library are the most famous one in Ipoh.

[szehoong]

I think the best Library in KL is the KL Library at Dataran Merdeka. Haven't been to the new venue yet but I've been to the old KL Memorial Library next door many times. This new KL Library is supposed to replaced the old KL Memorial Library.

I also frequent the National Library a lot during my days at the old Limkokwing campus next door as the library for LICT then was pathetic. It was good then (10 years ago) but I am not too sure bout now. The last time I was there was in 1998 when I was doing some May13 research on their microfilm collection. It seems like now they are renovating the premise. I just hope they run a rail line there and make that place more acessible to public transportation. And that they extend their operating hours. The last time I was there they closes at 6:30pm which is not too encouraging for the working population

I haven't been to any public library elsewhere ecept Singapore and I am really impressed by their libraries esp that of the Esplanade and their new National Library.

But seriouslylah.....my uni's library in Auckland is better than our national library. It is really a shame!

[Vince]

Yes, we can totally see that our government has their priorities totally wrong when building Malaysia as a nation. Education is such an important instrument to shape young minds and let adults gain more knowledge. You know why forumers here occasionally say that we have "Third World Mentality"?? Having gleaming skyscrapers and monorails does not make us a great nation. A lot more public facilities that would enhance the well-being of Malaysians should be built to allow Malaysians to grow. Community libraries and other community facilities would be one of those crucial investments that our government should make......not something like Dumai Bridge linking Malaysia to Sumatra, or the world's biggest court building...for what??....poooh!!!

[argory]

Originally Posted by szehoong

I think the best Library in KL is the KL Library at Dataran Merdeka. Haven't been to the new venue yet but I've been to the old KL Memorial Library next door many times. This new KL Library is supposed to replaced the old KL Memorial Library.

Sze, I've been to the new one recently and it's really nice, the layout design and all. But I didn't have a chance to go through the collection. I was looking for old photographs and there was this section dedicated to books just on KL. But I think that section is still being developed and they are relying on various sources for the input. But you can still dig out a lot of info on KL.

[forrestcat]

The National Library in KL is also at very a unstrategic place....it's difficult to get there from the residential areas in Setapak unless u want to spend $5-$10 (depends on the driver) to get there. If u notice...some teenagers and kids going there are all rich..so they have their mommy or chauffeurs driving them there.....so a majority of the public dun get to access it. I hope they make a bus stop there for better access.

The National Library building is under renovation.....I hope the interior would also improve..it's kinda messy and very 70's in there. ANd with the renovation..I hope comes new and better books.

I have not a chance to drop by the library near Dataran Merdeka..the building is beautiful..when I was there an interested tourist(Japanese I guess) asked me what that building is ... this is good but I think the government treat that library as a tourist attraction...no more. Government always think about the tourists but never about the rakyat...*sigh*.

I believe many of our IPTAs have good libraries...they are very organized compared to National Library(but most books are kinda dilapidated too) but the public have to pay quite a lot if they wanna use it and they usually dun let outsiders come in without student tags. But since I have been to several IPTAs libraries only..I am not sure whether other IPTA libraries are as good or do allow the public to use them. I have been to the library at UiTM,TWINTECH college and Uniten and am very pleased with their facilities but hey charge a large fee for the public to use their libraries or dun allow outsiders to use at all.

Some private schools in Ipoh as I have red about operate their own library and the biggest library in Ipoh (perhaps even in Perak) is at a Chinese school .MRSMs and SMS(well funded plus the initiatives of their principals) schools reputedly have their libraries well stocked. Maybe gahmen can take a leaf out of this and stock books at national school libraries too since from my own experience national school libraries do have sufficient space, usually occupying a whole floor..but dun have enuff or any books. My school's library occupies a whole floor but the shelves are almost empty and filled with paper lama books but I admit that I caught the reading bug there..reading the books that are worth reading.... ..ahh I miss that place..5 years have passed already.

P.S; ANyone here could take picture of the National Library after it finished its renovation..... ...they are replacing the blue tiles with brown ones right.I cannot even google any images of the NL in its blue tiles.

[acela]

Yeap the location is useless.If you are driving from Dato'Keramat then the only way to get there is by doing a u turn at the Pahang roundabout which is far and worse badly jam.Not a good motivation actually when you want to go there to study or have a quiet time but have to face this problem.

[forrestcat]

^ When my college sent us to the libraries at the US Embassy to find articles for our IS project ...they sent us there first coz lecturers say the Embassy have better books...

[James Foong]

The last time i went to National Library was last December 05. I always frequent their magazines shelf, which are quite good, but not as updated. What's get me felt pathetic of the library was the messy environment inside, which already looks like a pasar borong selling junkie books n old papers. Books are spilled out everywhere, on the tables, floors and seats. Some readers (mostly youngsters) are not cooperate enuf to make the library quiet, where you can see many young couples and students holding small talk and hee hee haaa right into your sensitive ears. Searching the books thru computer needs the expert of 70s generation, where they r still using old programming to search by keying guided computer language, in an antique pc. If you c checked on their book reference number, its totally outdated format and unhelpful. There is no indication of year published on the book side. And yes, cencorship of sexy ads / pics in newspaper n books by black ink highlighting are normal practice there which is totally silly n above the line. The good thing about the library is the polite n helpful staffs. However, being a national library shld always be the nation leading most comprehensive library, not juz a nice looking bldg n keeps renovating.

[James Foong]

Inspired from cobra skin?

[AFL]

no not a cobra skin...it is inspired by traditional Malay mat patterns

[AFL]

Pleasantly surprised by good service
02 May 2006
I.H. Shah Alam

I WAS stunned. I truly could not believe it was for real. Last Wednesday, I went to have a look at the Shah Alam State Library after a gap of more than five years.

Since I am a retiree, I decided to become a member so that I could borrow a maximum of three books over three weeks.

I filled a membership form and submitted it the next day.

The same counter staff were pleasant and helpful, until one of them dropped a bombshell. The form clearly stipulated that it would take five working days for processing of membership.

Seeing the disappointment on my face, the woman told me not to worry and asked me to wait for 20 minutes so that I could leave with a membership card in hand.

She even said that I could borrow three books immediately.

When you have been "harassed" for more than 30 years by incompetent civil servants at the local, state and federal levels, what I experienced at the Shah Alam library was refreshing.

The credit goes to the entire team, particularly the front-line customer service staff. Bravo to all of them!

A suggestion though. The library is only open on selected Saturdays and Sundays. Why not open on all weekends?

I promise you that those who patronise the library will find the "new rules" equally customer-sensitive.

Weekends are when many people are free to go to libraries.

[forrestcat]

^ Ahh..the Shah Alam state library...only went there once. The library is a beautiful building and situated at the centre of Shah Alam, very good location where many students could easily access it riding Shah Alam's famous pink mini buses .

Thank you for the picture JF...I was really googling like crazy for a picture of the library.

I asked my friends from N.Sembilan about their libraries at their homes, they say they have a very good library and even a mobile library frequenting their area. The mobile library is a good method and the government should send this type of libraries to schools frequently.


Shah Alam state library...last time I was there the tiles were falling off the walls..they better do something about it.


N.Sembilan State Library in Seremban my friends talked about...they say it's a good library.

[savisrich]

I guess the government is more focused on building more 'aesthetic' buildings & building more roads & protons than to focus on enhancing the society....
Seriously....what in the world are they thinking?

[sc4]

Originally Posted by savisrich

I guess the government is more focused on building more 'aesthetic' buildings & building more roads & protons than to focus on enhancing the society....
Seriously....what in the world are they thinking?

They're not!

[szehoong]

Originally Posted by savisrich

I guess the government is more focused on building more 'aesthetic' buildings & building more roads & protons than to focus on enhancing the society....
Seriously....what in the world are they thinking?

Errr......actually building more roads enhances society as well. Can you imagine Klang Valley without the MRR2 or the Federal Highway?

As for Protons....well look.....its a car and no one forces anyone to buy one although it greatly enhances our lives here in KL. You have the option not to buy one. However I think public transportation spending is inedequate

[baqthier]

The roof of National library looks much nicer now! Anyway, I usually go to libraries to cuci mata only.

[forrestcat]

It's good the NL replace the tiles...those blackened blue tiles give u the message that the library is hopeless...with new tiles..people will have a fresh perception of the NL and go there more frequent.

Libraries at IPTAs have funding problems...like at INTEC UiTM where I studied, the campus library have so many old books....thankfully....INTEC got some extra money since JPA,MARA and PETRONAS started sending students there.....the director of INTEC had to go to S'pore to buy second hand books that libraries at S'pore are discarding to replenish INTEC's shelves. ...