ASK about Events and Outreach

Librarians, Roy, , Joycelyn, Cheng Soon, Peck Keong and Mei Jun participated in the Disability Awareness Public Education (DAPE) 2007 fair at Sengkang Community Centre on 2 Dec 07. The cheerful lady borrowing a book in the photo above is from Bizlink, one of the organisations at the fair.

DAPE was launched in 2006 with the aim of promoting the employment of individuals with special needs. The event on Sunday started off with a Thematic Walk. Though it was a really hot day, the walkers were undeterred by the sun, and arrived at the exhibition tent (where booths like ours were set up) boisterous and sweaty after the work out. Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean also took part in the walk and visited our booth.

What does NLB have to do with this fair? We are the middle man of information. The library is after all a treasure trove of information. We brought down books related to the employment and engagement of handicapped people which people can borrow and read. If you are interested in reading about the subject, below are some inspiring stories about these ‘extraordinary’ people:

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon
Call No.: Y English HAD
About a teenage with Asperger’s Syndrome who tries to solve the murder of a dog, and discovers strength in himself along the way. An award-winning book. Haddon himself has ever worked with Asperger children, which is perhaps why he is able to relate the story in such realistic light.

Reflections of a peacemaker: A portrait through heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Call no.: 811.54 STE
A moving collection of poetry by a child called Mattie since he was three. Mattie has been afflicted with a life-threatening muscular disease since birth, and has passed away in 2004. Before his death, Mattie asked his mother if he had ‘done enough’ in his life to contribute to hope and peace for the future. His optimism and motivation lives on in his Heartsongs, poetry he penned to express his life experiences, poetry he wrote as a gift to inspire others.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Call no.: Y English SPY
A classic about a swiss orphan leaves her grandfather and home to care for a wheelchair-bound girl in the mountains of Frankfurt, Germany.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Call No.: J English BUR / Y English BUR
A classic about an orphan child who meets a boy who thinks that he is destined to be a useless cripple.

Posted by Ang Mei Jun, Adult & Young People Services

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