Information
Landmark: National Library of SingaporeCity: Central Region
Country: Singapore
Continent: Asia
National Library of Singapore, Central Region, Singapore, Asia
Overview
The National Library of Singapore, run by the National Library Board, serves as the country’s main public reference library, where pages smell faintly of old paper and ink.It’s the nation’s main storehouse for knowledge, history, and research-from dusty manuscripts to glowing computer screens-serving scholars and everyday visitors alike.Located at 100 Victoria Street in Singapore, the current 16‑storey building with three basement levels opened on 22 July 2005, designed by architect Ken Yeang and spanning 60,000 square meters; its highlight is the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, where visitors can pore over rare books, centuries‑old maps, and fragile historical documents.It offers resources in several languages-English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil-so you can read in the one that feels most familiar.Tucked away on the basement level, the Central Public Library welcomes everyone with shelves of books, a mix of multimedia, and quiet tables where you can spread out your notes.It features My Tree House, a bright, eco-friendly library where kids can curl up with a book under a canopy of green.The Pod sits on the top floor, a private gallery where you can take in sweeping views of the city, from glinting rooftops to the river winding below.In its theater and event spaces, the library brings people together for exhibitions, lively talks, and cultural events tied to literature, history, and the arts-sometimes with the scent of fresh ink still clinging to a new book.Browse digitized newspapers, leaf through old heritage publications, and search rich online databases-all just a click away.The building embraces green, sustainable design, with fresh air flowing through natural ventilation, soft glow from energy‑saving lights, and lush rooftop gardens swaying in the breeze.The National Library buzzes with researchers, students, and book lovers, serving as a vital guardian of Singapore’s literary and historical treasures, from rare manuscripts to fading photographs.Blending shelves of well-worn books with sleek digital tools, it’s a place you can keep learning from for a lifetime.
