When was the last time you visited our St Joe Library? For me it was probably 1976 or 1977. Well, last week Bob Chew and I visited the school principal Mr Thomas Lau for a discussion on areas the Class of 1976 could give back to the school. During that visit, we were shown various parts of the school including the library. I thought some of you might be interested to see what the library looks like now, so I took some photos.
Well, here's the main entrance ...
After you enter, there's a large librarian desk area on the left ...
Then there are half a dozen or so rows of private study cubicles ...
A pair of common use computers sit in one corner ...
You then have to go through some glass doors to get to the second section ...
The book shelves looked very familiar. Looking more closely, I discovered that they were the very same shelves from the time of the 70s.
Walking through the library brought back many memories. This was a place that some of us spent many hours in, and got to know extremely well back in our day.
The place looks reasonably well maintained, but obviously more can be done to improve the collection of reference books, upgrade the computing tools and possibly enhance the physical furnishings.
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Yes, the shelves look very familiar. I bet if you look closely enough , you might find "HBC lived here" carved somewhere. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBack then, I dun think the library was aircon'ed. Right or not?
ReplyDeleteThe stories about the Lings ( i.e. the donors to the library ) should be able to fill a web page, e.g. their timber business, Hock Hua Bank etc. In the 1960s, Hock Hua Bank's Kuching Manager was a Mr Michael Wee and his eldest son Patrick Wee was a Josephian, quite good in winning badminton competitions.
ReplyDeleteAnyone care to fill in more info as a fun chit-chat?
If my memory serves me correctly, Alex Ling (one of the siblings) was a SJS Head Prefect in the 60's? And in the 80's heard that the Lings tried to start a factory in the US manufacturing wood-chip / plywood boards etc, did they lost money in that venture?
SO NOSTALGIC!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember how some of us fell asleep and left pools of drool on the study desks.
ReplyDeleteSome were suddenly awakened from our slumber by Ta Ker!
ReplyDeleteWeren't there 2 entrances?
ReplyDeleteAnon 10.23pm. Are you referring to the late Tan Sri Ling Beng Siew's family?
ReplyDeleteSo whats the plan WJ & BC?
ReplyDeletehahaha... in pic 4, it is 'NO FACEBOOKING'. so why not just block access to facebook on the pc.
ReplyDeleteThe study cubicles have changed. It used to be serious dark timber.
ReplyDeleteSuggest they carpet the whole library floor, if possible with thick carpet, then students can 'curi curi' sleep in one corner if they feel tired.
ReplyDeleteHow about sofas, cushions and tilams, while at it? Aiyooo ... library for study not tidur!
ReplyDelete