National Library Board Launches Nodes At Parks, A Series Of Roving Interactive Installations Across Singapore's Parks And Gardens

“Nodes at Parks” will start at Gardens by the Bay, and rove to Jurong Lake Gardens, East Coast Park, and Pasir Ris Park, in the coming months.

Nodes at Parks

The National Library Board (NLB) launched its “Nodes at Parks”, a series of interactive installations that will be roving to parks and gardens across Singapore over the next few months.

Through these Nodes, everyone can access NLB’s e-resources on sustainability, learn more ways to lead a sustainable lifestyle, and contribute to the Singapore Green Plan 2030. 

“Nodes at Parks” is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to extend the library experience beyond its physical facilities, and to make learning and discovery accessible anytime in everyday spaces.

Roving Installations Across 4 Different Parks & Gardens In Singapore

The “Nodes at Parks” installations will be roving to four different parks and gardens in Singapore, from October 2022 to February 2023:

Gardens by the Bay: 14 October to 22 November 2022
Jurong Lake Gardens: 25 November to 18 December 2022
East Coast Park: 21 December 2022 to 24 January 2023
Pasir Ris Park: 27 January to 26 February 2023

“Nodes at Parks” will feature two installations – the Sustainability Showcase and the Sustainable Benches.

Sustainability Showcase

Supermarket-Like Pop-Ups

Through the Sustainability Showcase, NLB will bring a supermarket-like learning experience to parks and gardens around Singapore.

Taking the shape of a literal supermarket experience, this interactive installation seeks to showcase sustainability as an integral part of everyday life, and to encourage visitors to be conscious of their purchasing choices, and to actively co-create sustainability ideas for the future.

The modular supermarket-like shelves will be filled with sustainable products, such as exercise mats made from shoe waste, and cultivated meats. These products were contributed by community partners and green entrepreneurs, such as, The Plastic Project, ChopValue Sg, Confetti Snacks, Shiok Meats, students from Nanyang Polytechnic, Insectta, Netafarm and Creuse.

• Scan QR Codes To Access Sustainability-Themed "Big Questions"

Through QR codes found on the panels, visitors will be able to access a list of NLB-curated e-resources, which provide different perspectives to eight sustainability-themed “Big Questions”.

These “Big Questions” topics focus on sustainable food production, food waste, single-use plastics and upcycling, as well as the support of local produce. The public can also vote for their preferred perspective on the webpage after reading the e-resources. The content will also be made available on NLB’s Read To Be Sure and LearnX platforms.

• Online Quiz

After exploring the Showcase, visitors can also test their knowledge by trying out an online quiz to redeem discount e-coupons from participating partners.

• "Show & Tell" Sessions

On selected weekends, visitors can participate in the partners’ “Show & Tell” sessions featuring demonstrations and activities on the sustainability journey of their products.

Everyone can head to the Showcase to donate or exchange pre-loved books at a book exchange corner. This is part of NLB’s efforts to cultivate the habit of donating and recycling books. Visitors are also invited to contribute a memorable personal experience about the environment at the memory booth. The collected memories will serve as inspiration for an e-book on Singapore’s changing environmental landscape, which will be published by NLB in February 2023.

Book Exchange Corner

The Book Exchange Corner aims to give used library books or donated preloved books a new lease of life, and to encourage recycling among the public.

Visitors can select up to three used library books at their own time, while stocks last. Weekly replenishments of books will be arranged.

To cultivate the sustainable habit of donating and recycling books, visitors will also be encouraged to donate or exchange their preloved books.

Visitors who prefer digital books can download free sustainability-themed e-resources by downloading the NLB Mobile App and signing up for a myLibrary ID. 

Memory Campaign

Visitors are invited to contribute written stories and photographs to a memory campaign. These collected memories will serve as inspiration for an e-book on Singapore’s changing environmental landscape.

Sustainable Benches

Sustainable Benches

Photo Credits: The National Library Board

NLB will be deploying 16 Sustainable Benches, made from repurposed wood from a West Indian Locust (Hymenaea courbaril) tree from Cornwall Road and a Senegal Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) tree from Pasir Ris Park.

14 benches were adopted and painted by students from seven Secondary Schools, based on their creative interpretations of NLB’s sustainability-themed e-resources. These vibrant benches will make their way back to the campuses of the participating schools after their deployment at the parks and gardens.

The seven secondary schools are: Admiralty Secondary School, Chua Chu Kang Secondary School, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, Ngee Ann Secondary School, Spectra Secondary School, Yusof Ishak Secondary School and Zhonghua Secondary School.

• Scan QR Codes To Access Sustainability-Themed E-Resources & Videos

Visitors will be able to directly access and download NLB’s e-resources on different topics pertaining to sustainability and the environment, along with a series of fun and educational videos produced by Republic Polytechnic students, through QR codes featured on each bench.

Seek & Unscramble Contest

Visitors can participate in a contest to win $100 worth of shopping e-vouchers (5 lucky winners at each park). Simply scan the QR codes on seven sustainable benches to find 14 hidden letters. Unscramble them and submit the answer in an online contest form.

Set Up A MyLibrary Account & Download The NLB App

Visitors are encouraged to sign up for a myLibrary username and download the NLB Mobile App, to start accessing e-resources curated for “Nodes at Parks”, as well as other NLB resources anytime, anywhere.