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Tucked away in Petaling Jaya, Playcentre Library has been quietly nurturing little bookworms since the 1980s
What started over 40 years ago as a small gathering of mothers and children has grown into a children's library, with around 35,000 books in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Back then, a few enterprising mums, Judy Ong, Karen Iqbal, and Judy Shaik, thought a library with exchangeable books would be a fun addition to the play sessions.
Shaik says it was created to provide a safe, welcoming space for kids to explore reading outside of school.
A fundraising drive raised enough to buy the first 100 books, and by 1988, the Playcentre Children's Library Association was officially registered and moved into its own space to accommodate growing interest.
The library's journey hasn't always been smooth
"The necessary closure of Playcentre due to COVID-19 was the worst disaster," recalls the current team of volunteers, Shaik, Esther Chew Ker Yng, and Chuah Sze Phing.
"About 500 books were lost due to non-return by families that moved or changed telephone numbers."
Despite this setback, Playcentre reopened in late 2022 on limited hours, and slowly, volunteers and families returned.
What makes this library so special isn't just the shelves of books, but the community and joy it nurtures
"What keeps us going is really the children," the team shares with SAYS.
"When they run through the doors and head straight for the shelves, you can see how excited they are to discover new stories. Over time, the library becomes more than just a place to borrow books; it becomes a place where children grow up with stories."
Generations of families have been touched by Playcentre Library. Some adults who once visited as kids are now bringing their own children, or even grandchildren.
"It's incredibly special when a parent tells us they used to come here as a child and now they're bringing their own children.
"One of the most rewarding things is watching children grow as readers. Many start with picture books, and over time, we see them move on to early readers and eventually chapter books. We've seen children go from sitting on the floor with picture books to confidently borrowing chapter books on their own," the team adds.
Storytime sessions, held twice a month, are a highlight, bringing tales to life with props, songs, and character voices.
"Even small moments like reading together can create very meaningful experiences for children," they share.
Running a volunteer-driven, non-profit library comes with its challenges. Funding, manpower, and managing the collection are ongoing balancing acts.
From shelving and cleaning to storytelling and social media updates, it takes a village, and the library's village is growing.
"We are always balancing our wish list of what else we want to do for the library — expand operational hours, upgrade our facilities, curate new books — with the resources available. This library holds such tremendous promise: a safe space where the next generation can cultivate literacy, imagination, and curiosity.
"People often see the shelves of books, but behind the scenes it takes a lot of time, care, and volunteers to keep a library running. There is much to do, but the work is meaningful and purposeful."
The team welcomes volunteers and corporate partners who want to help nurture Malaysia's next generation of readers.
Looking ahead, Playcentre Library hopes to digitise its catalogue, add a few air-conditioned corners for comfort, and expand community programmes like reading sessions, playgroups, and even author visits
As for the vibe? Three words sum it up: relaxed, fun, child-friendly, the team shares.
"It's actually quite hard to fully describe Playcentre Library in words, it's something you really have to experience. When you step through the doors, you're welcomed into a space filled with stories, imagination, and a sense of warmth.
"Children curl up with books, families browse the shelves together, every visit brings a new discovery and every corner holds a new adventure waiting to be discovered," they explain.
Whether you're a child discovering a favourite book for the first time, or a parent reliving your own childhood visits, Playcentre Library is more than just books: it's a little PJ treasure built by the community, for the community.
Check it out for yourself
Address
18, Jalan 6/6, Seksyen 6, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 46000
Visiting hours:
Thursday: 10am – 12pm
Saturday: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
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