History of the National History of the National Library of SingaporeLibrary of Singapore

Done by Jonathan Teo, Nur Done by Jonathan Teo, Nur Aisha and Ignatius LeeAisha and Ignatius Lee

Beginnings of the National Beginnings of the National Library Library

The National Library had its The National Library had its beginnings in 1823 and was beginnings in 1823 and was inextricably tied to the establishment inextricably tied to the establishment of Singapore’s first major educational of Singapore’s first major educational institution, The Singapore Institution, institution, The Singapore Institution, now known as the Raffles Institution, now known as the Raffles Institution, as well as the founder of modern as well as the founder of modern Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles.Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles.

Stamford Raffles worked for the British East Stamford Raffles worked for the British East India Company. He was a self-made man India Company. He was a self-made man who fervently believed in the opportunities who fervently believed in the opportunities afforded by education and its ability to afforded by education and its ability to benefit the poor. Soon after the founding of benefit the poor. Soon after the founding of Singapore, Raffles proposed setting up an Singapore, Raffles proposed setting up an educational establishment and envisioned educational establishment and envisioned that a library was needed to support the that a library was needed to support the educational aims of the college. As such, educational aims of the college. As such, the seeds of the National Library were the seeds of the National Library were sown.sown.

The Early Years: 1823 – 1845The Early Years: 1823 – 1845

Raffles laid the foundation stone in Raffles laid the foundation stone in 1823 for the Singapore Institution 1823 for the Singapore Institution and the building was completed in and the building was completed in 1837. Dr Robert Morrison, an 1837. Dr Robert Morrison, an eminent missionary, philanthropist eminent missionary, philanthropist and educationist, became the first and educationist, became the first librarian and played a key role in the librarian and played a key role in the early developments of the library.early developments of the library.

The library, being a part of the Singapore The library, being a part of the Singapore Institution, was open to its students and Institution, was open to its students and staff. However, for 25 cents a month, any staff. However, for 25 cents a month, any member of public could use the library and member of public could use the library and borrow books as well. However, following borrow books as well. However, following increasing public calls for the library to be increasing public calls for the library to be open beyond school hours, the Singapore open beyond school hours, the Singapore Library was formed and officially opened Library was formed and officially opened on 22 January 1845. Invited members of on 22 January 1845. Invited members of the public could use the library after the public could use the library after paying a monthly subscription of $2.50. paying a monthly subscription of $2.50. The Singapore Library was thus The Singapore Library was thus Singapore’s first subscription library.Singapore’s first subscription library.

A black-and-white photograph of A black-and-white photograph of the old library building at the old library building at

Stamford Road Stamford Road

View of the staircase leading to the main View of the staircase leading to the main entrance of the old National Library at entrance of the old National Library at

Stamford RoadStamford Road

View of the main entrance of the View of the main entrance of the old National Library building with old National Library building with

its walls of exposed red bricksits walls of exposed red bricks

The Current LibraryThe Current Library

The library moved to its new home on The library moved to its new home on 22 July 2005. It is the flagship building 22 July 2005. It is the flagship building of the of the National Library BoardNational Library Board, it brings , it brings together the core functions of the old together the core functions of the old library by incorporating a library by incorporating a reference libraryreference library, known as the , known as the Lee Lee Kong Chian Reference LibraryKong Chian Reference Library, as , as well as a well as a public librarypublic library, the , the Central Central Lending LibraryLending Library (CLL) under one roof. (CLL) under one roof.

Picture of the current library at Picture of the current library at Bras Basah RoadBras Basah Road

Entrance to the National Entrance to the National LibraryLibrary

All the library still around All the library still around now!now!

The End of the slide show by The End of the slide show by Jonathan TeoJonathan Teo

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