20 Nov 2015 - The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has partnered the National Library Board (NLB) to open the third IDA Labs facility, and the first in a heartlands location, at Jurong Regional Library (JRL). The IDA Labs@NLB was officially opened by Minister for Communications and Information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, this afternoon.
Singapore, 20 November 2015 | For Immediate Release
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has partnered the National Library Board (NLB) to open the third IDA Labs facility, and the first in a heartlands location, at Jurong Regional Library (JRL). The IDA Labs@NLB was officially opened by Minister for Communications and Information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, this afternoon.
This collaboration is also the first dedicated space sited in a public library in Singapore that encourages hands-on experimentation and creation as a new way of learning. Through IDA Labs@NLB, the library community can gain exposure to and borrow maker kits such as Arduino to tinker and create, as well as network and exchange skills with like-minded individuals. IDA and NLB envisage the Labs as providing a platform for tinkerers and makers to come together and share their knowledge at JRL.
In bringing technology closer to the community with IDA Labs@NLB, IDA and NLB also hope to encourage and foster a mindset of continuous experimentation in our youth. Youth who have a deeper interest in technology can benefit from the programmes and resources at IDA Labs to play with technologies and build simple prototypes, for example, designing programming modules for robots. The library location also makes it convenient for IDA Labs@NLB users to borrow library resources on programming and computational thinking to further enhance their knowledge and application.
Occupying 135 sqm on the second floor of the library, the IDA Labs@NLB will house equipment such as 3D printers as well as curated technology kits for limited public use. The Labs will open from Wednesdays to Sundays, 12pm to 8.30pm. IDA and partners will also run talks and workshops to reach out to students, families and young adults to familiarise them with the technology available at IDA Labs@NLB.
IDA launched the IDA Labs programme in March 2014, opening the first two Labs at its Mapletree Business City headquarters and the National Design Centre. The IDA Labs initiative aims to provide physical lab spaces for individuals, companies and government agencies to collaborate and innovate as Singapore works towards achieving its vision of becoming the world’s first Smart Nation. To date, IDA Labs has supported more than 250 workshops with over 9,000 participants from industry, government, schools and the community.
“The heartlands location of the third IDA Labs makes it easier for the community –from kids to working adults to seniors – to come together to explore and tinker with tech. In our Smart Nation journey, we want to encourage everyone in the community to adopt and cultivate a mindset of continuous experimentation. We will absolutely love it if families can visit IDA Labs@NLB and bond over tech, and in the process, work together to come up with their own prototypes and innovations,” said Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive, IDA.
“We are very happy to have IDA Labs@NLB at Jurong Regional Library, which is also home to our first teen library space, Verging All Teens. The Labs will offer a platform for our patrons to experiment, collaborate, and access our wide range of library resources. As libraries are social learning spaces, this will provide opportunities to foster the spirit of collaboration and promote lifelong learning,” said Catherine Lau, Assistant Chief Executive, NLB.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE & NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD
Related Resources
- Annex A: IDA Labs@NLB’s Operational Details (113.00KB)
- Annex B: IDA Labs Programme Factsheet (137.38KB)
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg or follow us on Twitter @IDAsg.
About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation. Through the National Library and its network of 26 public libraries, NLB promotes reading, learning and information literacy. By forging strategic partnerships to cultivate knowledge sharing, the libraries also encourage appreciation and awareness of Singapore’s history through their wide range of programmes and collection on Singapore and regional content. The National Archives of Singapore, an institution of NLB, oversees the collection, preservation and management of public and private archival records, including government files, private memoirs, maps, photographs, oral history interviews and audio-visual materials. NLB also uses innovative technology to provide access to its digital library resources and services, and archival collection. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is now under the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).
For more information on NLB, please visit www.nlb.gov.sg
For media clarifications, please contact:
Boon Leng TAN (Mr)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: (65) 6211 0375
Email: Tan_Boon_Leng@imda.gov.sg
Viki CHUA (Ms)
Associate II, Corporate Communications
National Library Board
Tel: (65) 6718 3538
Email: viki_chua@nlb.gov.sg
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