Libraries are one of the most important places of study. Singapore boasts a number of them, including national, regional, public, private academic, and specialist ones. All these libraries fall under the management of the Singapore National Library Board (NLB). Here are descriptions of a few of the more prominent libraries in each category:
National Libraries in Singapore
- National Library, Singapore: After the closing of the old National Library at the Stamford road on the 31st of March, 2004, the new 16-storey National Library was built on Victoria Street.
- Lee Kong Chian Reference Library: This library, first known as the National Reference Library, changed to the current name after the Lee Foundation donated $60,000,000. It is named after Dr. Lee Kong Chian.
Regional Libraries in Singapore:
- Jurong Regional Library (formerly Jurong East Community Library): The Jurong Regional Library is currently the largest public library in Singapore. The library was built after the completion of the Tampines and the Woodlands Regional Libraries.
- Tampines Regional Library: The Tampines Regional Library was the first to be opened in Singapore. It was opened on the 3rd of December, 1994, by Aline Wong, who was the Senior Minister of State for Education and Health.
- Woodlands Regional Library: The Woodlands Regional Library is located in Woodlands, which is in the North Region.
Public Libraries in Singapore:
- Ang Mo kio Public Library: The Ang Mo Kio Public Library was established by the National Library Board of Singapore, and is among the 19 community libraries.
- Bedok Public Library: The Bedok Public Library is situated at 21 North Street 1, Singapore. It was opened on the 28th of September, 1985, by Professor S Jayakumar, who is currently the Senior Minister for Law.
Other public libraries include the Bishan Public Library, Bukit Batok Public Library, Central Lending Library, Choa Chu Kang Public Library, Library@esplanade, Library@orchard, Marine Parade Public Library, Sembawang Public Library, Toa Payoh Public Library, and more.
Private Libraries in Singapore - these academic libraries are private and require membership:
- Nanyang Technological University: The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a public and also an autonomous University in Singapore. Its history is traced back to the Nanyang Technological Institute that was formed in 1981.
- National University of Singapore: The National University of Singapore is the largest University in terms of student enrolment and the curriculum that’s being offered. It was founded in 1905, and is the oldest Institute of higher learning in the country.
- Singapore Management University: modelled by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the Singapore Management University is a public and autonomous national University that specialize in business and management studies.
Others include the libraries of the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Institute of Management, and more.
There is one specialist library, which is also private:
- SAFTI Military Institute: The SAFTI Military Institute was opened in 25th August 1995, by Goh Chok Tong who was the prime minister then. It’s a tri-service military training institution for officers of all ranks.
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