How a community turned a bookshelf into a full-fledged library at Blk 2 Holland Ave – Mothership.SG

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What started as a small bookcase with some books has turned into a full-fledged library under Blk 2 Holland Avenue.

You only have to walk by before the empty deck lights and sprawling bookshelves of this typical HDB flat beckon curiously.

Talking mothershipKae Chee, founder of HV Little Library, shared how her community library down the block unexpectedly expanded from a small bookshelf.

Started with a personal book collection

HV Little Library started on August 5, 2022 with a small bookshelf and a few of Kae Chee’s own personal books.

Kae Chee’s brother-in-law donated the bookcase and spray painted it to make it look more attractive. He also printed his own homemade sign and bought stickers to mark the books.

The next day, Kae Chee came down to see the empty shelf that had been left beside him, and he filled it with more books.

In five months, the library has spread over the empty deck.

HV’s small library

The library has a wide selection of titles ranging from Chinese books to children’s books to numerous English books.

Cases are filled to the brim with books, and tables are scattered around the empty deck for visitors to sit and read.

The place has a certain rustic and cozy charm that draws people there.

Although she has labeled all the books, visitors can take the books home at any time. Of course they have to return it after some time, but no one is there to look at the book.

The way the library expanded was not planned, as Kae Chee described the expansion as something “organic”.

More than just a library

HV Little Library is run in good faith, Kae Chee said.

Kae Chee explained that the library is not funded by anyone. Instead, it runs on donations.

From wall decorations to books, everything in the library is from people who live nearby and also from those who don’t stay in the area.

The extensive collection of Chinese books was donated by someone who did not live in Holland Village. Instead, 600 books came from a Toh Yi resident who heard about the library and wanted to support Kae Chee.

Residents and visitors of the area also kindly donated the plants that decorate the edge of the library.

Some people also help with tending and caring for the plants.

The library’s television was also a donation warehouse. Then a group of 70-year-old uncles offered to help set it up and attach it to the wall, Kae Chee said.

Those who donated books or shelves paid for the shipping costs, so Kae Chee didn’t have to pay it.

“People give out of love, whether it’s money, effort or time,” Kae Chee said.

The library is a joint effort, and the community feeds it.

Problem solving

The resident committee gave him little support, and not all residents are fans of this library, Kae Chee said.

Kae Chee has also received complaints about how the library is “extra” or a “fire hazard”.

However, he tries to keep the place as neat and clean as possible while serving the community.

When there was a spill in the area, Kae Chee developed a device to recover the spill using an umbrella and a plastic bag to protect the donation area.

Since the lights only came on at certain times, he bought camping lights for the library to keep the area illuminated before the lights came on.

There are two rooms along the corridor: a pantry and a toilet. Kae Chee cleans the two rooms in her own time and supplies the place with snacks and toilet paper in case someone needs to use the toilet.

Kae Chee said that he is not doing this because he is very free, but he appreciates the “kampung spirit” in this library.

“It is a gift of love, caring and selfless sharing,” she said.

Oasis

The library is an oasis, he described.

Through the library, Kae Chee got to know his neighbors around him and those who passed through the library. She never forgets to greet someone when they enter the library and welcome them in.

It is not only a place where people borrow and return books, but also a place where people gather and learn from each other.

For example, the sewing club is founded by a resident who teaches others basic sewing skills in the library.

When someone donated a table tennis table, a neighbor offered a retired table tennis coach to teach anyone interested in the sport.

The people who are part of this “kampung” also take care of each other and keep an eye on each other.

For example, when Kae Chee was sick, residents left food at her door and checked in on her to make sure she was okay.

When another resident fell ill, Kae Chee and some neighbors kept an eye on the resident and even provided updates to the resident’s children.

Kae Chee spends much of her time in the HV Little Library.

He visited the library at least five times a day, and his son often jokes that his mother spends time in his “office.”

Now he has a “partner in crime”, Yun, who supports him and manages HV Little Library’s social media.

He said that while the maintenance of the library is ongoing, it is a happy problem for him.

“It’s for the residents and by the residents. Everyone is going to enjoy it (sic)… It’s a giving place,” Kae Chee said.

With the help of HV Little Library, he hopes that the younger generations will learn not only to love reading, but also to serve others in the community.

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