It was a heartwarming display of kampung spirit when a woman fell at Sengkang Library in Compass One and those nearby sprang into action.<\/p>\n
Stomper Gary<\/strong> witnessed the incident that occurred on the staircase between Level 3 and Level 4 of the building on Sept 15 at around noon.<\/p>\n \u201cThe woman, who was in her 30s, complained of pain on the left side of her head and was quickly attended to by library staff and a Good Samaritan who helped to stop the bleeding,\u201d he recounted.<\/p>\n According to Gary, the woman sustained bruises on her forehead, around her left eye and her mouth.<\/p>\n He shared photos showing three National Library Board (NLB) staff members attending to the scene and a female patron in pink who applied pressure on a cut above the woman\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n NLB staff and a female patron helped to render first aid.<\/p>\n PHOTO: STOMP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe woman\u2019s dad, who was in a mask, looked anxious while waiting for the ambulance,\u201d Gary added.<\/p>\n The Singapore Civil Defence Force told Stomp it received a call for assistance at 1 Sengkang Square at about 12.10pm. A woman was taken to Sengkang General Hospital.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt good that she was attended to very quickly and that the father was persuaded by all of us to send her to the hospital for treatment, despite his earlier concern on the cost and potential ambulance fee,\u201d said Gary, who lauded everyone involved for their quick action.<\/p>\n The Stomper also left his phone number with the woman\u2019s father in case he needed help.<\/p>\n \u201cHe called me five hours later, saying his daughter was good and thanked me for assuring him,\u201d Gary added.<\/p>\n NLB staff also checked on the woman\u2019s well-being after the incident.<\/p>\n Sengkang Library\u2019s<\/a> branch manager, Sharon Tan, recalls rushing to the staircase with her colleagues after being alerted to the incident. She then rendered first aid while waiting for the SCDF to arrive.<\/p>\n The woman had fallen on a staircase in Sengkang Library.<\/p>\n PHOTO: STOMP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The 39-year-old said it was \u201creally heartening to see\u201d members of the public step forward to help: \u201cI am deeply thankful for every single person who was involved that day.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharon, who oversees day-to-day operations at Sengkang Library, added that she is grateful for the Stomper\u2019s feedback, as it \u201cencourages us to continue doing good for our community\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cBut honestly, I speak for the whole team that we were just doing what we felt was right,\u201d Sharon told Stomp after being presented with a Goody Bag<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most important thing to us was that the lady and her father received the help they needed.\u201d<\/p>\n NLB branch manager Sharon Tan said it was a \u201clovely surprise\u201d to receive recognition for the incident.<\/p>\n PHOTO COURTESY OF NLB<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Sharon said she enjoys that no two workdays are quite the same. She has been with NLB for slightly over two years and describes it as a \u201cdeeply fulfilling journey\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI try to stay present on the ground where possible, as being visible and accessible to both my team and our library patrons is something I value a lot, and it is fulfilling seeing someone leave the library with a stack of books they are excited about,\u201d Sharon shared.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing able to contribute back to the community is also something I truly enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n Having grown up with the library, where she spent most of her childhood reading, Sharon sees it as a meaningful space.<\/p>\n \u201cI think many people see the library as a place to borrow books, but there is so much more,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n For instance, a lot of thought and effort go into curating the library\u2019s collection, organising fun programmes that resonate with the community, hosting storytelling sessions for kids, and more.<\/p>\n Sharon and her team are also constantly working to ensure that the library remains a relevant and welcoming place for everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are always thinking about how to make reading more accessible and enjoyable for everyone,\u201d said Sharon, while noting that Sengkang Library serves a diverse and vibrant neighbourhood.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the same time, we also attend training regularly for situations like first aid and emergency response<\/a>, so that when something unexpected happens, we are ready to act.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharon, 39, said working at NLB has been a deeply fulfilling journey.<\/p>\n PHOTO COURTESY OF NLB<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Asked if she had words to share with her peers, Sharon said: \u201cTo my team at Sengkang Library, I would like to say that the work we do matters more than we sometimes realise.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharon emphasised that every action counts \u2014 be it helping patrons to find a book, running a programme that sparks a child\u2019s love of reading or responding calmly in an emergency.<\/p>\n \u201cBelieve in the power of teamwork to look out for one another and the people we serve,\u201d Sharon told Stomp. \u201cI am delighted to work alongside everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nStomper, NLB staff and patron step up<\/h2>\n
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\u2018We were just doing what\u2019s right\u2019: NLB branch manager<\/h2>\n
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Not just a place to borrow books and read<\/h2>\n
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\u2018Believe in the power of teamwork\u2019<\/h2>\n
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