Back in 2024, retired headmaster, Lee Kim Siew went viral for his dedication and passion in knowledge. Despite being in his 90s, he never fails to show up and even turned parks into a library. As of 2026, Lee now tends to 5 mini libraries, which houses over 30,000 books in Puchong.
Retired headmaster runs 5 mini libraries
According to MalayMail, Lee set up the libraries about five years ago, driven by a lifelong love for reading and an even stronger belief in sharing. Walking with a cane, he still spends several mornings a week at the park, quietly tending to the shelves, organising donated books, and welcoming curious visitors.
Image credits: FMT
The libraries are simple but charming. Some are wooden shelves; others are made from stacked boxes, carefully wrapped in plastic to protect the books from rain. There are no membership cards, no deadlines, and no fines. Lee’s rule is refreshingly simple: Take a book, read it, and return it when you can.
Each book carries a stamp “Lee & Gan Library Kuala Lumpur” a tribute to his late wife. It’s a small detail, but one that makes the collection feel deeply personal.
Long before the park libraries existed, Lee’s home was already overflowing with books, tens of thousands of them, and at one point, he had over 40,000 books in his personal library. After his wife passed away, managing such a large personal library became difficult. Instead of selling or storing the books away, Lee chose to give them new life by sharing them with the public. On top of that, he also donated some books to schools in need.
Image credits: Shafwan Zaidan
No deadlines, no late fines, just take a book & read
Today, the collection includes books in English, Malay, and Chinese, ranging from novels and comics to non-fiction. Some come from Lee’s own shelves, while many others are donated by people who believe in what he’s building.
Lee doesn’t just look after the books, he looks after the park too. Before settling into library duties, he often picks up litter left behind by others, quietly caring for the space as if it were his own backyard. Regular visitors say there was a time when he was the only one doing so.
Despite the heat, rain, and physical demands, Lee keeps going. He spends about three hours a day, four days a week, moving between the five mini libraries, stamping new books and keeping everything in order.
Image credits: Straits Time
Quiet dedication doesn’t go unnoticed
There are challenges, of course. The books aren’t always fully sheltered from the weather, and seating is limited. Some locals hope better structures can be built in the future to protect the collection and turn the area into a more comfortable reading spot.
Still, people keep coming, to borrow books, donate some of their own, or simply talk to Lee.
Image credits: Malay Mail
His quiet dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lee’s story has even been featured in Protectors of the Written Word, a book highlighting individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to spreading the love of reading.
Reading is slowly becoming a dying art, but all it takes is just one person to spread the virtue. So if you’re keen to check out Lee’s mini libraries, they’re located at, Taman Wawasan Recreational Park.
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