THE Butterworth Digital Library (BDL) has recorded a stunning number of visitors totalling 14,000 after being opened to the public on July 15 this year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the digital library today, said this shows that BDL is well received from the local community although it was just newly opened for a few months.
“At the same time, the three other digital libraries on the island have also performed very well when they recorded half a million visitors (500,000) from October 2016 until September this year.
“The three digital libraries on the island are Penang Digital Library 1 and Penang Digital Library 2 in Jalan Masjid Negeri, and Penang Digital Library @ Batu Maung at Southbay Plaza in Batu Maung.
“What makes us more proud, our neighbouring state such as Kedah also is following in our steps by setting up a digital library.
“This proves that our efforts in implementing such initiative have been recognised by our neighbouring state, spurring their interest to implement or replicate the same project,” Chow said in his speech during the opening ceremony today.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Commitee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar.
Other distinguished guests were Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and Chief Minister Incorporated deputy general manager S. Bharathi.
Speaking about Butterworth Digital Library, Chow said the project construction had started in April 2019 and fully completed in January this year with the cost of RM6.6 million.
“The digital library project is done through a public-private partnership (PPP) between Think City Sdn Bhd and Penang government, through Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI).
“BDL is the first digital library in Seberang Perai and the fourth of its kind in Penang.
“I was also being told that BDL is currently in the process of collaborating with the British Council to set up an English learning class in here,” he added.
Located in Kampung Benggali, the double-storey building is equipped with a community hall, a digital library, conference and seminar rooms, teleconference room, indoor playground for kids and cafeteria.
The Butterworth Digital Library opens every day with the operating hours from 8am to 10pm. There is no entrance fee.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud