Science Library started operations on 19 May 1986. The Library was first proposed in 1980 and in 1984 the planning and preparation of the Library was delegated to the Science Library Planning Committee. The Committee was chaired by Miss Sylvia Yap, Head-Designate of Science Library with Miss Liew Soon Kah and Miss Karen Yap as members.

The Committee finalised the design and general layout of the Science Library and work on the construction of the building started in late June 1984. The intensive work on the preparation for the moving of the Science collection started in mid-August 1985, with much time and effort directed towards identifying, preparing and consolidating the collection and cleaning the Science collection records in LACS, the loans database.

Science Library under construction

The Science Library, with a floor area of 4,408 sq m, occupies the 5th, 4th and part of the 3rd Floor of the building. In 2002, the library was extended to the 6th Floor and giving an additional 2,105 sq m of floor space. The new floor has a readings area, with facilties for the handicapped and a Library Instruction Room.

The Science Library serves primarily the Faculty of Science and School of Computing with a collection covering the biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics.

Science Library with 6th Floor added

The planning of the internal layout of the Science Library was hard work, but also fun at the same time. The final product was the result of ideas from a cohesive team which comprised the library staff, the architect and an interior designer.

When the interior designer proposed to use the four primary colours to brighten the library, I was very worried. I had an image of a Library with doors, windows and walls painted in bright blue, green, yellow and red. He, however, assured me that he would control the use of the colours. I was thrilled with the results -- a background of grey and beige highlighted by brightly coloured chairs, letterings and strategically placed plants. The furniture was specially designed and helped to provide better ambience in the Library.

Science Library current serials area with primary colours in use

Glass walls were used to give an impression of openess and to also enable us to bring the greenery from the ridge into the interior of the Library. The Library was also designed for easy access by the physically handicapped.

It was very gratifying to see the positive reactions from the Library users walking in on opening day. The final product was a very pleasant surprise even for myself.

New books area