Libraries are now catering to modern kids like never before, offering live performances, story times, computers, CD & DVD collections, and play areas in addition to, well, books. So whether your kiddo likes to snuggle up with a good read or prefers a more interactive learning experience, there’s a library out there that fits the bill.
We’ve scoured the Klang Valley to bring you the best in children’s libraries (reading optional, but highly encouraged, of course.)
National Library of Malaysia
The National Library of Malaysia is clean and very well-maintained and spacious. They also offer activities like group reading programmes, storytelling, school holiday programmes, competitions and a Hypermedia centre with working computers for children to play and learn from. They have rules and regulations under their dress code so we recommend you dress conservatively before you pay a visit.
Membership Fee: Free.
Borrowing Conditions: Three books for three weeks.
Operating Hours: Tues – Sat (10am – 7pm); Sun (10am – 6pm); Closed on Mon & Public Holidays.
Address: 232, Jalan Tun Razak, 50572 KL.
Contact: 03-2687 1700
Website: www.pnm.gov.my
KL Children’s Library
The KL Children’s Library is located near Dataran Merdeka, opposite the Royal Selangor Club and is an extension of the Kuala Lumpur library. They offer activities for children such board games, storytelling sessions, computer classes, puppet shows, school holiday programmes and so on. They provide racks of easy-to-read books that are suitable for early readers, as well as sufficient number of tables and chairs for children. The downside of this library is that it’s not air-conditioned.
Membership Fee: RM 6 (registration) + RM10 (annual fee).
Borrowing Conditions: Three books for two weeks.
Operating Hours: Mon (2pm – 6.45pm); Tues – Fri (10am – 6.45pm); Sat & Sun (10am – 5pm); Closed on first Sat & Sun of the month and Public Holidays.
Address: No. 1, Jalan Raja, 50050 KL.
Contact: 03-2693 7313
Website: kllibrary.dbkl.gov.my
Raja Tun Uda Library
The Raja Tun Uda Library is located near the Sultan Abdul Aziz Golf Club, Shah Alam. It’s fairly new and very spacious. The children’s section is located on the ground floor and all the books are in very good condition. They offer a range of books in both English and Malay. They also provide a Creative Zone, Interactive Zone and a Cyber Zone that consists of iMacs, Wii and XBox. Another interesting feature would be the “reading tree” as the concept of the library is the theme of an outdoor park to incorporate fun in learning. In addition, they have a 3D theatre for various movie screenings.
Membership Fee: Free.
Borrowing Conditions: Five books for two weeks.
Operating Hours: Mon (10am – 7pm); Tues – Fri (9.30am – 7pm); Sat & Sun (9.30am – 7pm).
Address: Jalan Kelab Golf 13/6, Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Contact: 03-5519 7667
Website: www.ppas.gov.my
KL Library TTDI
The KL Library in TTDI is an easier alternative to the main KL Library branch in the city centre. It is a bright open space with a lot of benches and tables for both adults and children. Similar to most of the libraries listed, they offer activities such as story telling, school holiday activities, crossword puzzles as well as games. What distinguishes this library from the rest would have to be the fact that they have fitness programmes for kids as well.
Membership Fee: 1st year – RM16. RM10 for every subsequent year.
Borrowing Conditions: Three books for two weeks.
Operating Hours: Mon (2pm – 6.45 pm); Tues – Fri (10am – 6.45pm); Sat & Sun (10am – 5pm); Closed on the first Sat & Sun of the month and Public Holidays.
Address: Pusat Komuniti TTDI, Lot 31204, Jalan Athinahapan, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 6000 KL.
Contact: 03-7726 6310/03-7728 9244
Website: mylibraryttdi.blogspot.com
Damansara Heights Public Library
This library is hard to miss! It’s a fairly large bungalow house along Damansara Heights, it is a two storey library with limited parking spaces. The chidren’s section is guarded off by clear glass doors and walls enabling parents to keep a close eye on their little ones. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it is a new library, some of the shelves are quite bare but all in all, they do provide books in English, Malay and Chinese.
Membership Fee: Free.
Borrowing Conditions: Three books for three weeks.
Operating Hours: Tues – Sun (9am – 5pm); Closed on Mon and Public Holidays.
Address: No.9, Jalan Beringin, Damansara Heights, 50480 KL.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Perpustakaan-Awam-Bukit-Damansara-PABD
National Science Centre
The library at the National Science Centre is located on the 3rd floor. If you’re a first-timer, when you first apply for library membership, you are required to pay for the science centre’s entrance fee of RM6 per person. After receiving the library membership, you will only be requires to show your card to access the entire centre including the library. The library consists of mostly factual books, science journals, reference books and dictionaries, all for educational purposes.
Membership Fee: Kids below 17 years (RM20 a year); Adults 18 – 55 years (RM40 a year).
Borrowing Conditions: Three books for three weeks.
Operating hours: Mon – Sat (9am – 5pm); Closed on Fri, Sat, Sun & Public Holidays.
Address: Persiaran Bukit Kiara, Bukit Kiara, 50662 KL.
Contact: 03-2089 3472
Website: www.psn.gov.my
Subang Jaya Municipal Council Library, Puchong
At the Subang Jaya Municipal Council Library, the kids’ section has quite an array of activities. They also provide a kids’ ‘meeting room’ for discussions, storytelling and other quiet activities. They offer a selection of books and computers for kids to read and use. Their range of books come in reading levels from beginners, intermediate and advanced and are also available in Chinese, English and Malay. They may not have many tables and chairs, but they provide an alternative: cushioned floors.
Membership Fee: Kids 5 – 12 year (RM7 for the first year, RM5 for every subsequent year) & Adults 13 years and above (RM17 for the first year, RM10 for every subsequent year).
Borrowing Conditions: Three books for two weeks.
Operating Hours: Tues – Fri (9.30am – 7pm); Sat & Sun (9.30am – 5pm); Closed on Mon & Public Holidays.
Address: Persiaran Putri 1, Bandar Putri, 47100 Puchong
Contact: 03-8062 7930 / 03-8065 1587
Website: ocps.mpsj.gov.my
PJ Community Library
The PJ Community Library has a children’s section on the Ground floor and offers a large collection of books. The books may appear old and not well-maintained, but they have a range of educational magazines such as Kuntum and so on. They also carry out activities weekly which is updated on their notice board and website.
Membership Fee: RM31 for the first year, RM15 for every subsequent year.
Borrowing Conditions: Four books for three weeks.
Operating Hours: Mon – Tues (10am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm); Fri (10am – 12.15pm & 2.45pm – 5pm).
Address: Lot 389, Jalan Selangor, Section 3, 46050, PJ.
Contact: 03-7781 2775 / 03-7781 2790
Website: www.mbpjlibrary.gov.my
Playcentre Library
The Playcentre Library is a humble little library located in a bungalow house. It runs solely on volunteers and is a non-profit library that is well-maintained and looked after by expatriates in KL. They offer a vast selection of books for all reading levels that of which are in mint condition, similar to the library itself. They also have playgroups every Thursday for children under 4 years old.
Membership Fee: RM15 a year ( + RM1 registration fee).
Borrowing Conditions: Two books for two weeks.
Operating hours: Tues (9.30am – 4.30pm); Thurs (9.30am – 12.30pm); Sat (2.30pm – 4.30pm); Closed on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun.
Address: No. 18, Jalan 6/6, 46000 PJ.
Contact: 03-7781 7813
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlaycentreLibrary
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Text Credit: Kathryn Rao & Stephanie Boey
Image Credit: Stephanie Boey
