Expansion of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Sibu
This article describes the physical requirements for a satellite or second building for Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Sibu or Pustaka Sibu. The building will be functionally part of Pustaka Sibu specifically, and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Pustaka) in generally.
It details out the physical organisation, environmental and services requirements, functions and purposes on the new building. It will enable a design to be drafted by specialist consultants in consultation with staff of Pustaka.
Environmental and building services requirements are addressed in written statements relating to accessibility, acoustics, air-conditioning, disaster planning, electrical services, energy efficiency and conservation, fire services, furniture, lighting, security, shelving, signs and windows.
Contents
Background to the Project
Pustaka Sibu was initiated in 2001 as Sibu IT Library with a preliminary grant of RM300,000.00. Since then, various discussions and technical meetings were held to determine the concept and philosophy of the new regional hub of Pustaka. In 2005, the State Planning Authority (SPA) approved Lot 456, Block 1, Sungai Merah Town District, Sibu as the site for the project. In 2007, however, the project was halted or adjourned by the Sarawak Government due to lack of fund.
Four year later, in 2011, The Public Work Department (PWD) was instructed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Communication to implement the project with a ceiling cost of RM24,968,000. Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri gave approval for the project to be implemented on a direct price-negotiation basis at a ceiling cost of RM24,968,000.
In 2012, SPA approved the site and building plans. However in 2013, the initially approved site at Lot 456, Block 1, Sungai Merah Town District, Sibu was revoked by SPA due to the replanning of the affected areas. A new site at Lot 1054 of the same land district was approved by SPA. Pustaka was advised to revise the site and building plans and resubmit them to the relevant authorities for approval.
In 2014, SPA approved Lot 1607, Block 1, Sungai Merah Town District, Sibu as the project site and revoked approval for Lot 1054. The layout plan and building plans were duly endorsed by the SPA in the same year. Construction work officially started on 25 November 2016 and almost four year later, the PWD Central Regional Office issued Certificate of Practical Completion to indicate the physical completion of the project.
After almost twenty years from its initiation, Pustaka Sibu commissioned its services on 15 September 2020. As a project it experienced change of project site three times and numerous changes in concepts and building designs. Working a tight budget, the project team had to omit a few things that were considered non-essential at that point in time to ensure project could be completed as planned. Listed below are the components that were excluded from the initial project are:
a) an auditorium
b) an exhibition gallery
c) a wider and comfortable staff work area
d) a transit area for just delivered library materials
e) a close stack for legal deposit materials
f) a bookshop
Hence, during the construction of Pustaka Sibu, plans to expand it were mooted and discussed by the top management of Pustaka. Almost immediately after its completion, a request for land for an expansion project was put up to the Sarawak Government. On 26 January 2021, the request was granted. Lot 130, Block 1, Sungai Merah Land District, adjacent to where Pustaka Sibu is now, is conditionally given to Pustaka for the expansion project. This 3.6798 acres piece of land was previously owned by the Sibu Municipal Council.
Components of the New Building
a) A multi-purpose hall that can accommodate various public and social functions of users. A multi-purpose hall is preferred because of its flexible use compared to an auditorium.
b) An exhibition gallery for thematic exhibitions focussing on local history and traditional heritage.
c) Storage for library materials.
d) Storage for print and non-print materials deposited under the provisions of the Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999.
e) Administrative offices and work areas.
f) Public and staff amenities.
Environmental Conditions
It is essential that the new facility provides the optimum environmental conditions for the resources stored within it as well as safe and comfortable working conditions for staff and users. This means a controlled environment:
- To minimise the risk of damage to the contents, whether by water, air pollutants, inappropriate temperature or relative humidity, mechanical damage, insect and rodent damage, theft, ultraviolet light damage or loss of information due to magnetic fields or other risk factors.
- To ensure that the contents are protected by a level of physical security commensurate with their importance.
- To ensure the well-being of staff and users of the facility.
General Considerations in Design
In its design and construction the new facility shall:
- Be an iconic, attractive and memorable as well as highly functional and efficient building.
- Be a safe and comfortable facility to work in and to visit.
- Explore and where appropriate implement innovative and leading edge techniques of architectural and engineering design.
- Showcase products of Sarawak and the skills of its people.
- Reflect in its design and decoration the rich cultural heritage and history of Sarawak.
- Be a ‘green’ building, through its construction and throughout its economic life, by making use of post-consumer recycled materials and by being as energy-efficient as possible, subject to the strict environmental requirements of the resources to be stored and accessed.
- Be hospitable to people with a variety of disabilities, both in public and staff areas.
- Meet and in many instances exceed international and local standards for facilities of its kind.
