In 1981, the National Library introduced plans to build branch libraries at seven existing and upcoming new towns, including Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Geylang East, Jurong, Hougang, Tampines, Woodlands and Yishun (However, the Hougang, Tampines and Yishun libraries were not built until the nineties).

For the Ang Mo Kio library, the Public Works Department (PWD) invited registered contractors in 1983 to bid for the library’s construction, mechanical and electrical fixtures, and the installation of its fire alarm system and passenger lift.

PWD completed the Ang Mo Kio Branch Library in April 1985, and handed the $4.8-million building over to the Ministry of Community Development. With a gross floor area of 4,600m², the new double-storey library had a story-telling room and reading area for children, an AVA room and a multi-purpose hall that could be used for lecture, drama and musical performances.

Ang Mo Kio Branch Library and Bedok Branch Library were also the first libraries to be equipped with facilities for handicapped and old people. These included ramps at the first floor and lifts for handicapped people to the higher floors.

Ang Mo Kio Branch Library had a soft opening on 17 August 1985. Almost 5,000 people, most of them students, turned up on the library’s first day, forming long queues of book borrowers. Due to the overwhelming responses, a temporary loan counter had to be set up at the library’s garage.

The library was officially opened two months later in October 1985. Throughout the eighties and nineties, new book launches, book fairs, exhibitions, seminars, courses and career talks were organised and held at the Ang Mo Kio Branch Library.

An overhead bridge was also built in front of the library, as safety concerns were raised by the public due to the increasing number of students crossing the busy road to the library to borrow books or do their homework. The bridge was completed in June 1986.

In 1982, the National Book Development Council (NBDC) initiated the national reading campaign with the aim to develop reading habit for young children. The first National Reading Month lasted from mid-August to mid-September, and continued to be held in subsequent years on an annual basis. Today, it is known as ReadSG.

To further encourage the reading habit, in 1995, library-goers could loan up to eight books from any branch of the public libraries. Previously one could only loan a maximum of four books from the library.

The Ang Mo Kio library was closed several times for upgrades, notably in 1988 (computerised system upgrades), 1992 (AVA system upgrades), 1995 (partial renovations) and 2002 (major renovations). Along with other public libraries in Singapore, it also underwent name changes three times, from Branch Library to Community Library (in 1995) to Public Library (in the late 2000s).

The Ang Mo Kio Public Library will be officially closed on 31 July 2026. With its closure, the 41-year-old library will walk into history together with the fond memories of many library-goers and book lovers. A new chapter will begin with the opening of the new Ang Mo Kio library at the AMK Hub in November 2026.

Published 31 July 2026