A 58-YEAR-OLD man was charged in a magistrate's court on Thursday with using a bicycle chain to lock the steel handles of the glass doors at the entrance of the National Library building.

Retiree Bin Hee Heng did not give a plea.

He is accused of public nuisance by causing annoyance to the public at the Victoria Street premises on March 15.

He made news two months ago when he insisted on parking his bicycle at the library's pedestrian walkway instead of designated bicycle lots nearby.

An avid investor, Bin has been a frequent library user, going there four times a week to read Asian Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.

Bin, who was not represented, told the court that he was making representations to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

He told the court twice that he was not an anti-social element.

He also said he had apologised to the chief executive officer of NLB in March.

He appealed for compassion and sympathy.

Bail of $5,000 was set. His case will be mentioned on June 12.

If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $1,000.