SINGAPORE: The relocation of Geylang East Public Library to Tanjong Katong Complex in 2030 is being undertaken due to declining visitorship and high renovation costs. Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam explained the reasons during a parliamentary session on 23 September 2025.
From 2015 to 2024, visitorship at Geylang East Public Library dropped by about 31 per cent, falling from 670,000 to fewer than 470,000. Renovation at the current site in Geylang East Avenue 1 was also assessed to be more than twice as costly per square metre compared with relocation.
The difference in budget amounts to S$22 million, Rahayu said.
Tin Pei Ling raises community concerns
The announcement followed an adjournment motion by Tin Pei Ling, who highlighted residents’ unease with the relocation.
Tin, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC, described the library as a place of shared memory and community identity for MacPherson residents.
“To them, the building is more than a physical icon in MacPherson, but a huge part of their memories – our collective memories,” she said, adding that residents expressed a deep sense of loss.
Tin had earlier appealed to the National Library Board (NLB) in a July Facebook post to reconsider the move.
Her appeal was echoed by residents, who launched a petition opposing relocation. As of 24 September, the petition had collected 1,658 signatures.
Wider trend of relocating standalone libraries
Rahayu noted that Geylang East is not the only public library facing relocation. Plans are in place to move Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh and Jurong Regional libraries to malls or integrated hubs.
This strategy is part of NLB’s 15-year Libraries of the Future Masterplan.
Rahayu stressed that decisions are not made lightly, with factors such as land use plans, population served, age of facilities and years since the last major renovation considered.
“We hope the relocation will help to improve the visitorship for the library, just as it did for the libraries at Harbourfront and Tampines,” she said.
The two libraries saw 58 per cent and 71 per cent increases in visitorship within three years of their moves.
Resident engagement and alternative ideas
Residents have been vocal about the future of Geylang East Library.
On 23 July, about 60 people met with NLB officers to challenge the decision.
They questioned the accuracy of the visitorship data, expressed concerns over inadequate consultation, and argued that footfall comparisons with mall-based libraries were misleading.
Suggestions were tabled, including community fundraising to offset renovation costs, creating a smaller-scale library within Geylang East, or introducing hybrid usage of the current building.
While NLB acknowledged these proposals, it did not commit to altering the decision.
Conservation concerns were also raised, with residents drawing comparisons to Queenstown Library, which has been gazetted for conservation, unlike Geylang East.
Maintaining access for Geylang East residents
In parliament, Tin asked how NLB would ensure residents’ continued access to library services.
Rahayu replied that the agency had engaged with the community to better understand needs. Options under study include establishing a reading corner, pop-up library, or other presence in the area.
“We will also work with relevant grassroots organisations to help residents access NLB’s digital resources for delivery services, ensuring continued reading and learning opportunities,” she said.
Strong national readership despite digital shift
Responding to questions on broader readership, Rahayu reported that NLB libraries remained well used despite shifts to digital platforms.
In 2024, NLB’s network recorded 20.8 million visitors, with 24 million physical items and 14.8 million digital items borrowed.
She emphasised that libraries remain critical community institutions in the digital era.
“We will continue to develop our libraries and strengthen their mandate as a key community node to foster learning and reading in this digital age,” she said.
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