Jul–Sep 2025

Director's Note

New Experiences and Discoveries: The Libraries and Archives of Tomorrow
Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive Officer of the National Library Board, shares his thoughts and insights on how libraries and archives can stay relevant in today’s world. Kimberley Chiu. (PDF)

From Colonial Vision to Key Memory Institution: A Short History of the National Library
The National Library began life in 1837 with a modest collection of 392 publications belonging to the Singapore Free School. Lim Tin Seng. (PDF)

Writing the NLB Story
Established in 1995, the National Library Board was conceived as one of many levers to transform Singapore’s economy and culture. Hong Xinyi. (PDF)

Kung Tian Cheng, First Clerk of Raffles Library
In the late 19th century, Kung Tian Cheng helped compile a complete catalogue of the Raffles Library, before going to China to work for President Yuan Shikai. Bonny Tan. (PDF)

Lady in Red: The Former National Library on Stamford Road
Beyond being a mere repository of books, the library on Stamford Road was a place for acquiring knowledge, making memories and creating friendships. Lim Tin Seng. (PDF)

The Singapore and Southeast Asia Collection
An invaluable resource for researchers of Singapore and the region. Ang Seow Leng. (PDF)

Pioneering Archaeological Research
Research into Malaya’s prehistory took off in the 1930s under the leadership of the Raffles Library and Museum.Foo Shu Tieng. (PDF)

Legal Deposit Legislation in Singapore
The legal deposit function in Singapore can be traced back to an 1835 law enacted in India to control and regulate the flow of information. Makeswary Periasamy. (PDF)

A Recent History of Legal Deposit in Singapore
The scope of legal deposit in Singapore expanded to digital materials and web archiving in 2018. Samantha Chen. (PDF)

Remembering the Part-Time Libraries
Part-time branch libraries served residents living in suburban Singapore before fulltime public libraries were built. Goh Lee Kim. (PDF)

Books on Wheels: Singapore’s Mobile Libraries
Between the 1960s and 1980s, libraries-on-wheels were a familiar sight as they travelled around Singapore bringing books to residents in rural and suburban areas. Gracie Lee. (PDF)

Reading with Molly Today
According to a study, the mobile library service continues to be relevant as it helps children get more access to books. Loh Chin Ee and Koh Yu Qun. (PDF)

Pages of Progress: The Toa Payoh Public Library
Over the last five decades, the library has developed to keep pace with the changing needs of the residents of Toa Payoh. Rebecca Tan. (PDF)

A Tale of Two Cities: Singapore Through the Lens of P.S. Teo and Ronni Pinsler
The photographs by P.S. Teo and Ronni Pinsler of a bygone Singapore form part of the National Archives of Singapore’s 5.5 million collection. Lu Wenshi and Ronnie Tan. (PDF)

A Peek at the Audio-Visual Archives: History Captured in Sound and Moving Images
The National Archives of Singapore has been safeguarding Singapore’s rich audiovisual legacy for the last 30 years. Phang Lai Tee. (PDF)

Hedwig Anuar: First Lady of the National Library
Hedwig Anuar was not only known for being the director of the National Library, she was also an activist and advocate for women’s rights. Timothy Pwee. (PDF)

My Mother, Hedwig Anuar
The daughter of Hedwig Anuar reveals a side to the former director of the National Library that not many people know. Shirin Aroozoo. (PDF)