Student chased out of library for studying

WHY can't I study in the library?

Student Gerald Khoo, 16, was left confused and frustrated after he was allegedly asked to leave Sengkang Public Library. He was there to study.

He said he was not aware of any rule that people were not allowed to study in the library unless they were using library materials.

He said: 'We all know that the community libraries in Singapore are places where people gather to study or read.

'Why do we have to leave? What's the library for? Shouldn't it be for studying and reading?

'Are there really some libraries which only allow reading and not self-study?'

He was so perturbed by what he saw as discrepancies in the way the rule was being applied at different community libraries, that he contacted The New Paper.

Gerald, a Secondary 4 student at Pei Hwa Secondary School, claimed he had been chased out of the Sengkang library for the same reason about three to four times in the last two years.

The student, who visits public libraries about once a month, claimed he has never been asked to leave when he studied in other public libraries in Ang Mo Kio and Cheng San.

He said: 'I've been to many libraries with friends to do self-study without getting chased out.'

He said he was in the Sengkang library last Saturday for less than 30 minutes with two other friends when they were allegedly asked to leave.

He claimed he was told by a library employee that they are only allowed to use library materials, and that they cannot study in the library.

Said Gerald: 'We were upset by his attitude as well as confused about the usage of libraries.

'(The employee) did not give us a proper reason why we had to go, and (he) was not polite when he spoke to us.

'It wasn't my first time getting chased out for doing self-study, but this is getting on my nerves.'

This is not the first time that the issue of studying in libraries has been brought up.

The New Paper reported on 16 May 2005 that self-study was permitted only at designated study areas at designated times in certain public libraries.

The report stated that self-studying was not allowed in nine of the 21 regional and community libraries in Singapore.

While the National Library Board's website clearly states that people can use the tables for self-study at all public libraries, Gerald alleged that this was not the case with him.

Time to change?

Perhaps it's time to update this rule, he suggested.

He said that while he understands that there are designated study areas in certain libraries where self-study is allowed, there is no such study area in Sengkang library.

He argued: 'They should set up one area for people who want to use library materials, but they must also have an area with tables and chairs for people to study.

'They should also not set a time limit for self-study. It is not convenient as some people like to study in the afternoon and some are used to studying at night.'

Would he continue to study in libraries then?

'I will still use the library as it provides a conducive environment for studying,' replied Gerald.

Can study there, but...

According to the National Library Board (NLB) website, all public libraries allow people to use their tables for self-study.

But, if requested by the library staff, students must be willing to give up their seats to users who are browsing library resources.

When it comes to regional libraries like the ones in Jurong, Woodlands and Tampines, there are tables in the reference section set aside for users who need to consult library materials.

Additional reporting by Gan Ling Kai, Geraldine Yeo, Audrey Tan, Bernice Huang and Joanna Hor.


This article was first published in The New Paper.
By Lediati Tan
Fri, Feb 27, 2009
The New Paper