I remember when I first visited the library, the borrowing was like that in the picture: a set of four sleeves, in which was filed a card from the book you borrowed with the due date stamped. Later on, they introduced the new library card with the barcode scanner, which was slightly more high-tech, but the librarians still had to stamp the due date on the book. Eventually, you could check out your own books and the self-service scanner, and a small computer printout listed your due dates. Now, you don’t even need a library card – your IC was enough, and if you’re overdue you get a nice email from the library telling you to return your book!

Besides the old library card system, Chun See blogs about the open space at the corner of Armenian Street and Stamford Road, near the site of the old National Library:

f my memory serves me, it used to be a sort of make-shift, single storey open coffee shop; i.e. without walls. Stalls may be a better word. So as the bus rounded the bend from Armenian Street and turns left into Stamford Rd, immediately there is bus stop. This coffee shop is directly behind the bus stop. Immediately after the bus stop is the entrance (for cars) to the Nat Lib. Further down is the exit, and after that is the National Museum.

Behind this coffee shop would be an open car park. I think part of it is still there. Many users of the library would take their meals here. Across the road at Waterloo Street were several very famous Indian sarabak stalls selling Indian Rojak and Mee Rebus. When we want to get to the library, we take a bus and alight at Bras Basah Rd and walk along Waterloo Street. We were bound to be accosted by the hawkers.

Besides the hawker stalls, there’s also another place there where you wouldn’t want to be caught “drinking coffee” at. Do you know what this place is? Find out here.