They think of everything here - the new library

You would think that this post has to do with our fabulous long weekend in Vietnam.  And it was fabulous. But that will have to wait while I tell you about the coolest urban place we visited yesterday (Saturday)..... The newest branch of the Singapore public library system in a mall!!! Yes they think of everything here....  First I will describe Singapore living as a local did to me when I told him I was moving here... He said "Singaporeans love to shop and eat".   He was right.  The malls here in this small island are really out of control.  They often go up 4 stories and down to basement 3 or 4 and are always packed with people.  Orchard road, which is walking distance from my apartment, is the 'fifth avenue' of Singapore.  It is mall after mall, literally connected to each other, with all the designer shops you can imagine.  And in addition to expensive, amazing restaurants, each mall has a food court where you can get a great asian meal for way less than $10.00, closer to $5.00.  In another post I will describe the food experience in detail.  It's amazing.

But I digress.... back to the library.... in my family we are readers, and it pained us to leave our wall-to-wall book collection in the U.S.  Actually we gave much of it away to friends and to the library donation box, and the rest is packed up in hopefully weather-resistant boxes in my aunt's garage (thank you again!!).  The move here converted us to a basically kindle family, although I still can't resist a good used book sale.  Retail books here are much more expensive than in the U.S. so although Kinokuniya is a book lover's paradise, we refrain from buying retail books as much as possible.  This Orchard Library is 2-story, brand new and design-themed and inspired.  So in addition to the regular collections it is a beautiful space and has a special section dedicated to design and architecture.  Maybe this will lure my mom back to Singapore for another visit.

A view of the seating area 'amphitheater style' on the first floor

stairs inside the library - everything super modern

Even the bookshelves are cool looking

we tried to get a library card but came to the realization that it's not possible at this particular branch. There is not counter at the branch - nobody working there - it's all "e".  To get a library card as a foreigner we have to go to a branch with a counter and pay about $50, which we will do asap.

Just to show you some of the books.  So excited!

As a mom I couldn't be happier to see the glee in my oldest son's eyes at the idea of a new amazing library nearby.  As it turns out they don't have an official kids' section in this branch but he did manage to find a book he's dying to read.  We're going to get libary cards soon and start using them!! What a great idea.  A library in a mall.  This country thinks of everything!

so next post I will tell you all about 3 days in Saigon....