Speech by Dr N Varaprasad, Chief Executive, National Library Board At The Launch Of Project Deliver Me On 21 January 2009, 10.30am At Jurong Regional Library

Good Morning,

Mr Yan Ban Seng, CEO (Taxi Business), ComfortDelgro Corp Ltd
Mr David Sim, Chairman, CabbyCare Charity Group
Distinguished Guests
Partners and Volunteers
Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Thank you all for joining me this morning at Jurong Regional Library for the launch of a very meaningful initiative called Project Deliver Me. 

2. This project is guided by the basic principle that everyone should have access to library materials and information services, we have been expanding our outreach to the underserved. We are continuously enhancing the access to our resources so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of reading and the pleasure of discovery.  Last year for example, Molly the mobile library service, has been extremely well-received at children's homes, special needs schools and primary schools.  Molly has been able to promote reading and lifelong learning wherever she visits.  We have also introduced audio books in our Public Libraries so that the visually handicapped are able to enjoy a good book like everyone else. In terms of physical infrastructure, we try as far as possible to make our Public Libraries friendly to those who are wheelchair bound.  Nonetheless, we also recognise that there is a need to reach out to those who may experience great challenge in visiting the libraries on their own because of some illness or a disability.  I am proud to say that NLB proudly stands for “Nobody Left Behind”.

Objective of Project Deliver Me

3. NLB's Project Deliver Me was conceptualised to reach out to people who are homebound. What makes this initiative very meaningful is that it is run by the community – a group of volunteers who either select the library materials or deliver the items to the homes of the physically challenged.  Project Deliver Me enables people with physical disabilities to have easy access to the wide range of library materials from the comfort of their own homes and at the same time, engages the community with meaningful volunteering opportunities.

4. Very often, ignorance or misconceptions create unneccessary social barriers and it influence our views towards people with disabilities. Through  Project Deliver Me, we hope to raise greater awareness on the special needs of people with disabilities and to further integrate them into mainstream community by addressing their needs to read and to learn.

5. I am heartened to note that since the start of its one and a half year pilot-run, a total of 53 beneficiaries have signed up for the service. 145 home visits were conducted with the support of 79 volunteers, who assisted in the selection, delivery and return of library materials.
 
Project Deliver Me reaches out to those with diverse interests

6. The beneficiaries of NLB's Project Deliver Me cut across all profiles. We have members from as young as nine years old to senior citizens, the oldest being 59 years old and they come from all walks of life – students, homemakers, account executives and freelance web designers. Despite their different backgrounds and interests, the beneficiaries of Project Deliver Me all share the same passion in reading and a common desire of fufiling their life goals, dreams and aspirations.

7. I am very pleased to share that one of the beneficiaries, Ms Chuan Yew Eng, who is here with us today, has achieved just that. One of Ms Chuan's art pieces was chosen for an international art competition in 2008. According to Ms Chuan, techniques that she learnt from the art book that was delivered to her through this service has proven to be extremely useful in her artistic development and endeavour. We are proud of Ms Chuan's personal achievement and this certainly serves to remind us of the value we create from the work we do, no matter how simple or complex it is.

Role of volunteers

8. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay a special tribute to all our volunteers of Project Deliver Me. This service would not be possible without the help of like-minded volunteers, who share our aim in reaching out to the physically challenged members, some of whom are bed-ridden while others are wheelchair-bound.

9. To this end, the volunteers no doubt play a critical role in shaping the success of Project Deliver Me. Carefully selected and specially trained for this service, the volunteers are no mere deliverymen. Besides sifting through the wide collection of library materials for the most appropriate selection of books based on the beneficiaries' preference, volunteers are also encouraged to guide the beneficiaries in using NLB's electronic resources such as eMagazines, eNewspapers and eBooks which are all available on the NLB's website for browsing and reading. I believe the physical presence and the hands-on care and concern shown to the beneficiaries add a personal touch to this meaningful service too.  We have received much positive feedback on the volunteers for their professionalism shown in delivering the service.

Appreciation to Partners

10. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to our partners – the Handicaps Welfare Association, Singapore Cheshire Home, Society for the Physically Disabled, Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore, People's Association Youth Movement - Bishan North Youth Executive Committee and Nanyang Junior College, for their strong support of NLB's Project Deliver Me. I hope you will continue to work with us and spread the word to other organisations so that more people can benefit from this service.

11. One organisation, I would like to express my gratitude and who truly sees the value of this serivce is ComfortDelGro, whose cabbies under the CabbyCare Charity Group, led by Mr David Sim, will be providing free taxi trips for NLB volunteers helping in the delivery and return of library materials to the beneficiaries. I would like to share  a bit of the background about the CabbyCare Charity Group. This group was initiated and formed in February 2000 by eight CityCab cabbies who wanted to spend their time more productively by helping the less fortunate. Today, it has grown to its current size of 100 members and is very active in many community projects. We are thankful to the cabbies for their contribution to NLB's Project Deliver Me.

12. To conclude, I would like to share with  you  a very meaningful quote.  Henry Miller, an American novelist once said: “A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on, you are enriched threefold.” To all the beneficiaries and volunteers of Project Deliver Me, I sincerely hope you will continue your passion for volunteering and reading, for as the Project Deliver Me tagline goes, it is all about enriching the community and enhancing lives.

Thank you and I wish you a pleasant day ahead.