While lost today we stumbled upon the main branch of the Singapore National Library. It seemed like a good opportunity to get a library card. I already have library cards from Berkeley, New York City, Seattle, Little Creek Amphibious Base (VA), Bolling Air Force Base (DC), and Montgomery County (MD), so what is one more?
Singaporeans get a Basic Membership for free, which entitles you to check out a maximum of four books at any one time. A Premium Membership (USD$14/year) permits an additional four books or four audiovisual materials. During the month of the National Day holiday you may check out eight items.
Foreigners have to pay about USD$30 per year, per person. No free membership. As with all public and most private services in Singapore, I had to show my passport and they wanted to see my employment pass. Although I am allowed to work in Singapore, we are not issued a formal permit. This lack of documentation can easily derail signing up for anything.
Having a letter with a raised seal or official stamp seems to take care of most problems even if the documentation has has little connection to the issue at hand. I heard one story from a military spouse who was told repeatedly that she could not get telephone service because her document did not include a specific number. After going in circles for several minutes she took back the paper, hand-wrote the number on it, and gave it back. Voila! It was now sufficient. Or, as Singaporeans state the affirmative: “Can!”
Fortunately the librarian decided to let my lack of an employment pass slip. After telling me several times that she had never seen this situation before I think she realized that she did not have anyone to call for an answer.
The library went cashless ten years ago so I had to go upstairs to add money to my cash card. A guard inspected my backpack as we entered the reference room:
Female Guard, to Citrus: Where is your mother?
Me: She is at work. She is working.
Guard, to Citrus: Where is your mother? Is she at home?
We now have our new library card and four books from a very good children’s section.
