Here is the National Library of Malaysia from outside. Helen referred to this in her last post.

Nearly home. Back in KL, much like Langkawi, it was hot and humid. I can cope with the heat, but not too well with the humidity. Thankfully we are now at the airport waiting for the flight for home.

Here’s a tip – becareful of purchasing shoulder bags in India. The dye is likely the run. I discovered this after using a green bag we bought in India. Now I have a nice patch of green across the middle of my white shirt.

On our last day we woke up late (9am ish) enjoyed the buffet breakfast, and had roti with curry for the last time. Also had an omlette, toast, tea and fruit. It sounds like a lot – but it wasn’t really.

Then we caught a taxi to the National Library – only because no direct public transport that tourists can work out reach there! Unfortunately again, you are not allowed to take photos. Sigh. Like most state libraries, you have to leave large bags in te bag room – outside and downstairs. Once you enter the library there is an Information counter and a registration counter. However these are behind glass windows, and everyone has to take a ticket and wait patiently on seats in front. To amuse the children (because it is a reference library) in the foyer it has a TV that is predominately being wacthed by children. To actually access the library you go through a security gate and round the corner and up some stairs. First floor is the periodicals (I had a look at the Malayasian Library journal), second is non-fiction and third are more periodicals. But the re-shelving – is huge! On the tables apart from signage telling you to be quiet, they also ask you to put books back on the trolley. However in one section the study tables are full of books that need re-shelving, as too are the trolleys! Glad I don’t work there.

There is also a Children’s Library – that children can borrow. It is a very large space, again with lots of books on the floor, tops of shelves etc. It is very well used – which is good to see.

While I know that this all sounds wonderful, and your thinking it must be a good looking library, it is not. There are also buckets in the foyer (it was raining yesterday), and water leaks are all over the floor from the air-con units. I only managed to take a photo of the entrance through the front door – but will post when I get home.