A Rare Peek Behind Closed Doors

SINGAPORE – Imagine walking into a space filled with the tantalizing scent of thousands of new books! This is not a bookstore; it’s the Library Supply Centre (LSC) in Changi South, where an impressive 3,000 brand new titles are processed daily. In just a year, this bustling hub sees over one million materials processed, making it the heartbeat of the National Library Board’s (NLB) public libraries across Singapore.

An Exclusive Tour for Library Lovers

On September 5, a select group of patrons were granted an unprecedented behind-the-scenes experience at the LSC as part of the month-long 'Love Our Libraries and Archives 2025' celebrations, marking NLB’s 30th anniversary. All six guided tours quickly filled up, with around 200 enthusiastic participants eager to discover the magic of library operations.

Book Processing: The Journey Begins

During these enlightening tours, visitors learned about the meticulous process that incoming library materials go through. Staff members perform rigorous quality checks to ensure that every book received is in perfect condition. Each book is tagged with a unique barcode for easy tracking while bibliographic records are created to streamline searches in the online public access catalogue.

Preserving Our Heritage: The Legal Deposit

But the LSC is not just about new books! One of the fascinating aspects introduced to visitors was the preservation work conducted by the Legal Deposit and the Archives Conservation Lab. Under the National Library Board Act, NLB is responsible for collecting and preserving national or historically significant archives. This includes a vast collection of over one million items that represent Singapore’s literary heritage.

Treasure Trove of History

Among the treasures housed at the Legal Deposit is a rare programme booklet from March 29, 1873, commemorating the laying of the foundation stone for Clyde Terrace Market, which was once Singapore’s largest market. Mr. Gareth Teng, manager of resource management at NLB, emphasized that the Legal Deposit is not limited to new materials; they also accept historical items from generous donors, enriching their collection with maps, posters, and magazines.

A Commitment to Conservation

In the Archives Conservation Lab, damaged heritage materials are lovingly repaired while maintaining their original integrity. This delicate work helps preserve Singapore's history for future researchers and citizens. Mr. Teng hopes that these tours will deepen patrons’ understanding of the intricate processes that make Singapore’s library system so effective and transformative.

Join the Celebration!

The LSC tour is a unique opportunity for library enthusiasts to appreciate all the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into curating the rich resources available at Singapore’s public libraries. As NLB celebrates its 30th anniversary, residents are encouraged to engage with their libraries like never before, connecting with the storied past and vibrant future of Singapore’s literary landscape.