WE REFER to Mrs Vasanthan Kanmani's letter last Thursday, 'Library visit ruined by unruly students', and regret the unpleasant experience she had at the children's section of the Bishan Public Library.

We agree with her that it is important for library users to be considerate to one another.

Our staff have been advised to be more vigilant and to make more frequent patrols to help maintain a conducive reading environment.

When necessary, our colleagues make public announcements to remind users to be quiet while in the library.

Users who continue to misbehave despite our advice will be asked to leave the library.

We may contact the respective schools of recalcitrant students.

Library users can also approach our staff for assistance if they encounter inconsiderate acts by other users.

We believe that in the long run, education is more effective than punitive measures to manage library user behaviour.

I Love My Library, a round-the-year campaign started in 2007, is one such effort to educate users on library etiquette.

The National Library Board serves more than 37 million visitors a year and has the daunting task of ensuring that all its 22 public libraries remain conducive at all times for browsing and reading.

We appreciate feedback from Mrs Vasanthan Kanmani and urge all library users to practise good library etiquette.

Together we can make visiting the library a pleasant experience for all.

Tay Ai Cheng (Ms)
Senior Director
Public Library Services
National Library Board

This article was first published in The Straits Times.