The Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) would like to refer to the letter, ‘Time to spruce up public library’, published in the Opinion page of the Bulletin on September 28.
The DBP would like to express our gratitude to Observer for highlighting the issue with regards to what public libraries in the country can offer to the public, especially our youth.
The DBP has been providing free library service to the public for over half a century, with more than 800,000 items divided among nine traditional libraries and five mobile libraries.
The bureau also provides outreach services, especially for those unable to gain access to the library by setting up reading corners at premises, such as the Ar-Rafi Archery Academy, Scout Headquarters, Maraburong Prison, Al-Islah Rehabilitation Centre, as well as Mendaram Longhouse in the Belait District, and Amo Longhouse and Semabat Longhouse in the Temburong District.
We would like to encourage others, especially cafes, child care centres and kindergartens, to set up reading corners at their premises and join us in our mission to build a reading nation.
DBP libraries have transformed their function into a community space for all walks of life, where people can gain knowledge and skills from the community via experiential learning, sharing sessions, talks, workshops, and training such as music classes.
We believe that knowledge is not only gained from books but can also be obtained from people and hands-on experience.
Library programmes are curated, from children to the elderly, all year round.
Early literacy programmes are also available for children aged five and below to inculcate reading at a very young age.
And it does not end there; we also equip parents with basic knowledge on teaching children how to read.
As for helping us build a more usable and favourable library collections, we are inviting the public to talk with us or respond to our survey via the link, https://forms.gle/yHJbMD1ybn5r945A.
Public feedback is crucial to us and will allow us to gain insights into public interests.
More like-minded people are needed, and we believe that with input from the public, especially reading enthusiasts, we can shape a much better public library in the country and expedite our vision of becoming a reading nation in the near future.
Language & Literature Bureau,
Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports