THE vision statement of the National Library Board describes an inspiring beacon of lifelong learning, but the design of the building does not live up to this.

The Study Lounge at Level 5 barely seats 100 students, yet the tables are placed close to one another. This does not leave each student much personal space. Instead of sofas which take up almost as much space as the tables, more tables should be added so more students can use the facility. I saw many students leave after failing to find a spot in the crowded and stuffy lounge.

After that happened to me, I explored the remainder of the massive building. This turned out to be a greater disappointment. Seven different levels make up the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Each of these storeys houses a special collection of books and each has a reading area that can seat about 60 people. These reading areas are in a part of the building with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. I estimated fewer than 15 people were using these areas on each level.

I was stopped by a security guard at the eighth floor. The curt instruction given was that if I wanted to study, the only location available was the Study Lounge on the fifth floor. When I explained clearly that that lounge was packed with students and there were no spaces available, he repeated his words.

It does not make sense to have so many good reading spots in the reference libraries that most users are not allowed to use. What is the rationale of building a library that is 13 storeys tall, with state-of-the-art facilities, only to have restrictions, and where most members of the public use only the basement level?

Jasmine Ho (Miss)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.