Brunei-Muara- A Total of 29 destinations, consisting of government primary schools, two non-government schools and the Youth Development Centre have been receiving the services of the mobile library, which currently have around 2,500 to 3,000 books on board. Apart from Brunei-Muara, the mobile library also provides its services in other districts. The mobile library in Temburong goes to 10 primary schools. The mobile library for Belait district goes to Tutong too, making 11 stops to provide services to primary schools in Tutong.
This stated by the Head of the Consumer and Loan Services, Library Section at the Language and Literature Bureau, Hjh Noraidah Hj Ibrahim, in an interview with The Brunei Times.
"Every year, the Library Section buys new books, which are distributed to district libraries by the Catalogue Unit," she said.
She that from January this year, each individual has been allowed to borrow five books. The same rule is applied to all libraries nationwide. Earlier, one could only borrow a maximum of two books each time.
"The increase has been the result of the overwhelming request from readers that two books were not sufficient for their reading pleasure," she went on to add.
"This is good, as it shows that the society is aware of the importance of reading," she added.
In, relation to registration, students can become members of the Language and Literature. Bureau`s Library free of charge. In addition to free registration, they can also use their membership card to borrow books from any library nationwide, including the mobile library.
"This facility will make it easier for the students to borrow and return the books through the mobile library," the Head of the unit pointed out.
In case of missing books, she said the person can buy the book of same title and replace it or pay the price of the book.
In terms of the schedule of the mobile library, she said that they would coordinate with schools to decide about the best time for visiting schools so that students get maximum advantage of this facility.
The mobile library usually goes to schools during break time said the teacher in charge.
The mobile library only provides its services to primary schools. For secondary schools, institutions as well as government agencies, the Library Section also provides services, known as the Sistem Peminjaman Kelompok.
For this service, a representative of the agency must apply for these services under which, not more than 100 books can be borrowed at a time.
Another facility is also introduced, known as the Sistem Peminjaman Keluarga in which any family institution who wishes to borrow books for any occasion can borrow books from the library.
Source: www.brudirect.com (1 Februari 2008)
