New library cost $ 200 million
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It is surprising that the National Library is constructed at a cost of $200 MILLION, considering that the structural design of the building is mainly steel works built around a concrete core that carry the main services to every floor of the building, and glass wrapped around it.
It is NOT surprising that most parts of the building are "OFF LIMIT" and require a pass to enter, despite the publicly declared statement that the building is open to everyone with an interest to research.
Sometime back, I have posted that there are sections in the OLD National Library building (at the upper most floor) that are stored very sensitive materials that require one's background to be vetted before being allowed entry.
It will NOT be surprising if those empty floor spaces will subsequently be rented out to other commercial activities that synergise with the work of the National Library - after all, which Government building has not done the same, so as to recover the cost of the building that at the same time help to lower the cost and sustain the activities of the Main Tenant ?
Nearly half of the HDB Hub at Toa Payoh is leased out to commercial activities, and NTUC spanking new building at the beginning of Shenton Way is similarly leased out.
The Government, besides being the biggest housing developer, also intend to be the biggest Commercial Building owner; and beside building and owning spanking new local commercial buildings, the Government has also been buying up Mega-Dollar commercial sites in Seol, London, New York, Sydney, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing - either independently or in joint ventures.
Properties are the best assets to hedge against inflation. -
You mean to say that those floors are empty at the moment? Isn't it a waste of money and space to build them in the first place, when a structure half the height would have sufficed?Originally posted by Atobe:It will NOT be surprising if those empty floor spaces will subsequently be rented out to other commercial activities that synergise with the work of the National Library - after all, which Government building has not done the same, so as to recover the cost of the building that at the same time help to lower the cost and sustain the activities of the Main Tenant ?
Nearly half of the HDB Hub at Toa Payoh is leased out to commercial activities, and NTUC spanking new building at the beginning of Shenton Way is similarly leased out.
The Government, besides being the biggest housing developer, also intend to be the biggest Commercial Building owner; and beside building and owning spanking new local commercial buildings, the Government has also been buying up Mega-Dollar commercial sites in Seol, London, New York, Sydney, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing - either independently or in joint ventures.
Properties are the best assets to hedge against inflation. -
I definately won't go to the new library- it is more costly to travel there when I can go to nearer ones like M.Parade, Bedok or Tampines.
Moreover I can get most of my info from surfing internet.
Think it is too much to spend on a library- $200M. Should have use the money to subsidise health care/ help jobless, elderly etc.
Also what's the point of having a modern bldg with many beautiful gdns. which are not accessible to the public. How much will it cost to maintain it?
Will it become a white elephant? -
I think Donald Trump will fire the NLB team that justified and blew $200 million on a real estate that does not generate business profits but human traffic
and free loading and lending services.
The NLB team, you're FIRED!
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Practically, they are...Originally posted by iveco:You mean to say that those floors are empty at the moment? Isn't it a waste of money and space to build them in the first place, when a structure half the height would have sufficed? -
$50M??? You are joking, you think bid low low can work today?Originally posted by iveco:No need. Just a $50m structure will suffice. -
So good can bring your backpack in maybe the sercurity guard is slack at that time. The reference Library is so big with so many spaces don't know for what one......Originally posted by dragg:i went in with my backpack but the security guard didnt say anything.
it was very spacious everywhere. waste of valuable space. -
For hanky panky couples?Originally posted by gorby107:So good can bring your backpack in maybe the sercurity guard is slack at that time. The reference Library is so big with so many spaces don't know for what one......
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then it must be really slack. i went into the reference rooms located at different levels but the tired looking guards just sit there staring blankly.Originally posted by gorby107:So good can bring your backpack in maybe the sercurity guard is slack at that time. The reference Library is so big with so many spaces don't know for what one......
i was wondering then why there were no scanners or checking of bags. -
Went to new library yesterday, with Kopiosatu.
A piece of crap i'd say.
It really doesn't justify the use of $200m for a building.
Glass panels need mantainance. That will cost in near future.
Too much space wastage.
Another 'state of art' building.
I heard that SMU will be having asia's biggest reference library in the new location?
So what become of the Victoria St 'main' library? -
Can anyone tell me how do we justify 200 million for a LIBRARY!!!!
Someone pray tell....
We really got too much tax dollars don't know where to spend is it? -
A place for white elephants to stay and shat their daily business.Originally posted by M©+square:Went to new library yesterday, with Kopiosatu.
A piece of crap i'd say.
It really doesn't justify the use of $200m for a building.
Glass panels need mantainance. That will cost in near future.
Too much space wastage.
Another 'state of art' building.
I heard that SMU will be having asia's biggest reference library in the new location?
So what become of the Victoria St 'main' library? -
$200 million is a lot of money indeed. But if we compared that amount to the Esplanade's $600 million tag, I feel that 200 mil is just peanutsÂ… err, I mean well-spent.
Firstly, the building was just constructed and newly furbished. I think that there are probably detailed plans on the development of the other levels. My guess is that the borrowing floor will be expanded to more than one level as the NLB expand the size of the collection of books there.
Second - I was there myself, and I thought that the overall architecture was nice - the views from the green spots were great, and the spaciousness is a welcomed relief after being cramped for most of the day in the office. Considering the building as a long term investment, I can't really complain that the NLB have build something that is pleasing to the eye, comfortable, and have sufficient space for many other developments.
In my opinion, the NLB is one of the most impressive government-ran organisation around. The improvements that was implemented in the last couple of years range were all very well done.
Their revamped borrowing counters are fast, efficient and convenient. Their book drop makes book returning possible even at late hours - and unless I am mistaken, their electronic tagging is so good that seconds after you dump the book - it's registered as returned.
Gone too was the need to return the books to the exact same library that it was borrowed from - we can dump the book at any one branch and it will be rerouted to the library it originated. And in the last few years NLB also build an online search engine for its books - which adequately covers the search of specific titles/authors as well as the status/location of the desired text. Renewals, bookings can also be done online.
Hours are extended from 9 to 9 to the convenience of the working class. Newer branches like Marine Parade or Orchard are integrated with cafes for a cup of coffee while reading. Many of the libraries are conveniently located – near MRTs or town hubs.
My point is : I give the NLB credit for the good work/planning it have done thus far. And I think that we should all wait abit longer to see how the plans for the rest of the library are going to be implemented. If the NLB can do as good as job with the new place as what they have done so far, then I think the new library will be a great place to look forward to. -
I just went to the library today and there was something wrong with the entrance scanner
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did you check out the book drop?Originally posted by The man who was death:I just went to the library today and there was something wrong with the entrance scanner
isnt it silly? -
Ya quite silly and the no bags beyond this point limits i dun get it why the seats over the garden there cannot bring bag one?Originally posted by dragg:did you check out the book drop?
isnt it silly? -
i went on sunday and walk around everywhere with my backpack.Originally posted by The man who was death:Ya quite silly and the no bags beyond this point limits i dun get it why the seats over the garden there cannot bring bag one?
maybe they changed the rules. -
And there was a security guard standing before that limitOriginally posted by dragg:i went on sunday and walk around everywhere with my backpack.
maybe they changed the rules. -
there are security guards at every entrance.Originally posted by The man who was death:And there was a security guard standing before that limit
they looked damn bored. -
There's police there too todayOriginally posted by dragg:there are security guards at every entrance.
they looked damn bored. -
This library is so precious as Changi Airport why they are slacking what if terrorist go and attack the place. But at a later time it would be like CGA like that police and army soldiers patrolling around with the dogs which would be quite safer andd no need to worry anything but still need to take precautionsOriginally posted by dragg:then it must be really slack. i went into the reference rooms located at different levels but the tired looking guards just sit there staring blankly.
i was wondering then why there were no scanners or checking of bags. -
Well.. It is up to you to think...Originally posted by spencer99:Can anyone tell me how do we justify 200 million for a LIBRARY!!!!
Someone pray tell....
We really got too much tax dollars don't know where to spend is it? -
$50m can build a simple but functional structure.Originally posted by sbst275:$50M??? You are joking, you think bid low low can work today? -
The difference between the attacked WTC building in NYC and our NLB HQ is that one truly served a purpose before it was attacked while the other is pretty much a white elephant in all purposes so far.Originally posted by gorby107:This library is so precious as Changi Airport why they are slacking what if terrorist go and attack the place. But at a later time it would be like CGA like that police and army soldiers patrolling around with the dogs which would be quite safer andd no need to worry anything but still need to take precautions
If Osama and the JI realises that our new $200m is just a white elephant, I still they'd just laugh their asses off and not bother too much about it.
Attacking the London underground twice had a purpose, so did the Egyptian bombing a few days ago and so was the WTC attack on 9/11 for Al-Qaeda. But attacking white elephants are way down in terms of their priority. Truly, I also think those terrorists should have better things to do than attack an expensive white elephant that serves little purpose. -
The difference between the attacked WTC building in NYC and our NLB HQ is that one truly served a purpose before it was attacked while the other is pretty much a white elephant in all purposes so far.Originally posted by gorby107:This library is so precious as Changi Airport why they are slacking what if terrorist go and attack the place. But at a later time it would be like CGA like that police and army soldiers patrolling around with the dogs which would be quite safer andd no need to worry anything but still need to take precautions
If Osama and the JI realises that our new $200m is just a white elephant, I still they'd just laugh their asses off and not bother too much about it.
Attacking the London underground twice had a purpose, so did the Egyptian bombing a few days ago and so was the WTC attack on 9/11 for Al-Qaeda. But attacking white elephants are way down in terms of their priority. Truly, I also think those terrorists should have better things to do than attack an expensive white elephant that serves little purpose.