This was Phase I of the PCF Community Children's Library project. It is a community project by the PAP Community Foundation with support and assistance provided by the National Library.

These libraries specially cater to preschoolers and children below 10, by bringing books and information resources to their doorsteps.

These four CCLs proved popular with neighbourhood children who find it conveninet to go to the library by themselves or with their family members or care-givers.

In March 1994, the Library 2000 Review Committee's report recommended a three-tier public library system consisting of regional, community and neighbourhood libraries.

Libraries would then have a wider reach and be better able to meet community needs.

The CCL project forms the basic tier of this system, by providing these neighbourhood children's libraries at locations within a five-minute walk from the homes of its users.

The report recommended that the neighbourhood libraries should be spearheaded by members of the community, to give residents a say in what they want and get the right mix of library materials.

The neighbourhood libraries currently serve only children, because that is where the immediate need is. However, later on, the concept could be expanded to cater to specific groups such as the elderly.

The Library 2000 proposal to build 100 neighbourhood libraries is being implemented in stages. The initial CCLs are being located in more populated neighbourhoods to meet the needs of its target users.

Under Phase II of the plan, six more CCLs will open in housing estates.

The Tampines West CCL, opened in Oct 1995, is the first of these six CCls.