SHAH ALAM, 6 Nov: The people are happy and support the Chief Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali, who wants public libraries in Selangor to extend operations until 10pm.
For them, the suggestion is very constructive and suitable to be realised because it would benefit the community to use all facilities when the libraries are opened for a long period of time.
Government retiree, Dr Muhammad Zain, 65, said that in the rapid technological development today and various modern facilities available, it is wise for the suggestion to be implemented immediately.
“Libraries, like the one here, are very comfortable and provide many facilities for visitors to use to meet their needs. Students, especially, will grasp this opportunity as best possible to increase knowledge and finish all their work.
“For the working community and parents with children, they can also come here easily when the operation hours are extended,” he said when met by Selangor Kini at the Raja Tun Uda Library yesterday.
Final year student in Undergraduate studies in Computer Forensics at the Management and Science University (MSU), Noor Amira Mohd Dzulkifli, said that the suggestion is very practical and allows students to use the library for longer periods of time.
“It will also save cost because we need wi-fi services to finish our work and conduct research. At the library, these facilities are provided.
“Otherwise, we may be forced to go to food outlets or restaurants for that. We would certainly have to spend on food and drinks,” she said.
This was supported by a year-one student in Undergraduate studies in Accounting at the University of Selangor (Unisel), V.Poshagan, 21, who feels that libraries are very important for users, regardless of school students, university students or the working group.
“Libraries today are very important to be used by society because we can do our research here and increase our knowledge. Without knowledge, we will be left behind.
“I support this proposal because the people would receive a lot of benefits. My friends and I always come here,” he said.
The long operations hours will also instil interest in reading in society because it allows many people to visit libraries after office hours and during weekends. This is the view of Nor Faharin Zulkifli, 19, a diploma student in Electronics at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic in Shah Alam.
“If library hours close the same time as office hours, the working community would find it hard to come here, especially in the Klang Valley which is always congested,” she said.
NS