By Zareef Muzammil
PETALING JAYA, July 15 — A total of 65 out of 104 public libraries in Selangor had been upgraded from 2016 to last year, says the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS).
Its director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad said the works were carried out to provide comfort for the visitors and were completed by PPAS-appointed contractors, including the Public Works Department (JKR) under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
“Upgrading costs under RM200,000 were handled by PPAS directly through the hired architects and engineers, whereas costs beyond that are the responsibility of JKR.
“We had improved the facilities, such as adding a pantry in the library. In fact, the staff had also donated refrigerators and rice cookers that were placed in each library,” she said when met after a dinner event in conjunction with the PPAS Golden Jubilee celebration at the Le Meridien Hotel, here last night.
Also present was Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Meanwhile, commenting on the golden jubilee event, Mastura said that it was to commemorate the foundation of PPAS, which was originally to be held celebrated in 2021 but was postponed due to the movement order control.
“The library and PPAS have been led by three directors over the course of 50 years, two of whom had passed away.
“The responsibility of continuing the library’s legacy is challenging but truly exciting. We used to handle 86 libraries, and now we have to manage 104 libraries. Despite this, I am thankful to have a dynamic team,” she said.
For the record, 71 of the 104 libraries in the state are rural libraries, with 12 town libraries, nine mobile libraries), seven district libraries, four branch libraries and one state library.
