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About Singapore

Singapore

Region: Asia-Oceania

Area: 728 km²

Population: 6,036,860

Libraries (Service Points): 99

Libraries in Singapore

Last update: January 2024

The public libraries, National Library, and National Archives of Singapore are managed by the National Library Board (NLB).

The NLB, a statutory board established under the National Library Board Act (Chapter 197) in 1 September 1995, is an agency under the Ministry of Communication and Information (MCI).

Over the last two decades, NLB has increased the number of public libraries from 10 to the current 26. Furthermore, NLB has also increased its service points to citizens by setting up more than 300 community reading corners across the country in the past few years.

The libraries run by NLB are highly developed, providing trusted and accessible information service through continual upgrading of library spaces and introduction of new library services. The NLB has also transformed its libraries from book lenders and venues for research to social learning spaces where people can participate in activities and learn through interacting with others.

The MCI is a ministry of the Government of Singapore. It oversees the development of the information and communication technology, cyber security, and media and design sectors; the National Library, National Archives and public libraries; as well as Government’s information and public communication policies. It allocates funds for the NLB to fulfil its mission of nurturing readers for life, developing learning communities and building a knowledgeable nation.

The Library Association of Singapore (LAS) is the national organisation representing the interests of library and information professionals in Singapore. LAS provides opportunities for networking, professional advancement and sharing of latest developments through its publications, talks, visits, conferences, training courses and social activities.

Recent national achievements in Singapore’s library field include:

  • In 2013, Singapore hosted IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC). It was the first time IFLA WLIC was hosted in Southeast Asia.
  • Singapore manages IFLA’s regional office for the Asia and Oceania Region, thus supporting IFLA members in more than 60 countries of the region.
  • NLB’s Tampines Regional Library was one of five finalists for the 2018 IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year Award, which recognizes newly opened libraries that “best combine open, functional architecture with creative IT solutions”.
  • In 2018, the National Library Board Act was amended to enable the National Library to collect digital publications and carry out web archiving of .sg domain websites. This extension of the National Library’s legal deposit function was an important development given that information is increasingly published digitally today.
  • In 2018, NLB won the Singapore Quality Award with Special Commendation, an accolade that seeks to recognise organisations that demonstrate outstanding management capabilities and world-class standards of performance. NLB demonstrated that it was able to leverage technology to build reading and learning communities, equip people of all ages with digital skills for the future economy, and elevate staff competencies and service standards through innovation.

Library data

Libraries (Service Points) 99
Main Libraries 46
Branch Libraries 46
External Service Points 4
Mobile Libraries 3
Libraries (Administrative Units) 79
Libraries with Internet Access 55
Full-Time Staff 914
Volunteers 6,889
Registered Users 4 M
Physical Visits 29.1 M
Physical Loans 24.9 M
eBook Loans 17.4 M
Audio Book Loans 1.5 M
Downloads 17.1 M

Contextual data

Population and Geography
6,036,860

Population

No Data Available

Population Growth

15.7%

Proportion of Population Younger than 15

18.3%

Proportion of Population Older than 64

8,241.8

Population Density
people per sq km

100.0%

Population Growth

Information and Infrastructure
100.0%

Access to Electricity

94.4%

Internet Users

94.0%

Female Internet Users

No Data Available

Male Internet Users

Poverty and Employment
150,689.3%

GDP per capita

No Data Available

Poverty Rate
2011 PPP

No Data Available

Inequality
2011 PPP

2.7%

Unemployment

6.0%

Inactive Youth
2011 PPP

Education and Literacy
2.2%

Education Spending
% of GDP

97.7%

Adult Literacy Rate
% of people age 15+

96.4%

Female Adult Literacy
% of GDP

96.4%

Male Adult Literacy
% of people age 15+

99.9%

Female Youth Literacy
% of GDP

99.9%

Male Youth Literacy
% of people age 15+

Innovation and Skills
2.2%

Research Spending
% of GDP

2

Researchers
% of GDP

12,700

Research Spending
% of GDP

Library data

Library type

Total

National

Academic

Public

Community

School

Other

Libraries (Service Points)

Library service point is a fixed or mobile facility through which library provides a service to its users. Central libraries, branch libraries, mobile libraries, and external service points located in different geographical locations and managed by one administrative unit are all each individual service points. Number of libraries is the total number of central/main libraries, branch libraries, external service points and mobile libraries.

99

99

2025

1

2024

65

2025

33

2024

N/A

2024
Main Libraries

Central/main library is usually part or those parts of an administrative unit where the main administrative functions and the important parts of the library collection and services are located. An administrative unit comprising several branch libraries does not necessarily include a central library.

46

46

2025

1

2024

45

2025

N/A

2024
Branch Libraries

Branch library is a part of a larger administrative unit providing, in separate quarters, a service for a particular user group (e.g. children, faculties) or for a locally defined clientele. Institute, departmental and other affiliated libraries are included. Mobile libraries and external service points are excluded.

46

46

2025

20

2025

26

2024

N/A

2024
External Service Points

External service point is a point away from library premises at which a certain service is regularly offered to users. This includes places within a locality at which library material is deposited for informal circulation to a restricted group of users but without other library services, for example, old people’s homes, community centres, collections for hospital patients. Mobile libraries and their stops are not counted as external service points.

4

4

2025

0

2025

4

2024

N/A

2024
Mobile Libraries

Mobile library is a library, sometimes a division of a public library, using transport means to provide documents and services directly to users as an alternative to access on library premises.

3

3

2025

0

2025

3

2024

N/A

2024
Libraries (Administrative Units)

Administrative unit is any independent library, or group of libraries, under a single directorate or a single administration. The term “independent” does not imply legal or financial independence but only that the library is a recognisably separate unit, typically within a larger organisation. The administrative unit can be a single library or a larger organisation, typically containing a central/main library, branch libraries and administrative functions.

79

79

2025

1

2024

45

2025

33

2024

N/A

2024
Libraries with Internet Access

Libraries (Service Points) that provides internet access from at least one workstation available to the public regardless of whether access is free, and/or provides a wireless network allowing users to connect to the Internet.

55

55

2024

1

2024

28

2016

26

2024

N/A

2024
Full-Time Staff

Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are all library employees who work for the library in return for payment. It includes professional staff, qualified staff, project staff and assistants. Other staff (library employees who work in security and on domestic duties, for example, cleaners, porters, caretakers and catering staff) and volunteers are excluded.

914

914

2024

89

2024

510

2016

315

2024

N/A

2024
Volunteers

Volunteer is a person working on library tasks without payment. In counting volunteers, the concept of headcount is used.

6,889

6,889

2024

233

2016

6,656

2024

N/A

2024
Registered Users

Registered user is a person or organisation registered with a library in order to use its collection and/or services within or away from the library. Users may be registered upon their request or automatically when enrolling in the institutions.

4 M

4,019,281

2024

219,281

2016

3,800,000

2024

N/A

2024
Physical Visits

Physical visit is a person (individual) entering the library premises.

29.1 M

29,053,655

2024

1,670,000

2024

8,583,655

2016

18,800,000

2024

N/A

2024
Physical Loans

Physical loan is a direct lending or delivery transaction of an item in physical form. Physical loans include loans of items in non-electronic form (e.g. books) and loans electronic documents on a physical carrier (e.g. CD-ROM).

24.9 M

24,927,569

2024

N/A

2024

927,569

2016

24,000,000

2024

N/A

2024
eBook Loans

eBook is a non-serial digital document, licenced or not, where searchable text is prevalent, and similar to a print book (monograph). eBooks can be lent to users either on portable devices (eBook readers) or by transmitting the contents to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period.

17.4 M

17,443,633

2024

N/A

2024

2,643,633

2016

14,800,000

2024

N/A

2024
Audio Book Loans

Audio book (or talking book) is a sound recording of readings of a book, magazine, or newspaper, usually designed for use by visually impaired people. Audio books can be lent to users either on a physical carrier or other device, or by transmitting the content to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period.

1.5 M

1,499,755

2024

N/A

2024

1,499,755

2016

N/A

2024
Downloads

Download is a content unit that is successfully requested from a library-provided online service or other internet service (e.g. database, electronic serial or digital document).

17.1 M

17,094,931

2024

N/A

2024

17,094,931

2016

N/A

2024

Population

Singapore

Region

World

Population

Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

total

6,036,860

2024

2,388,319,494

2024

8,141,808,945

2024

Proportion of Population Younger than 15

Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.

percentage of working-age population

15.7%

2024

26.4%

2024

38.0%

2024

Proportion of Population Older than 64

Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.

precentage of working-age population

18.3%

2024

20.0%

2024

15.7%

2024

Population Growth

Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

annual percentage

2.0%

2024

0

2024

1.0%

2024

Population Density

Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.

people persq. km of land area

8,241.8%

2023

97.3%

2022

61.6%

2022

Urban Population

Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.

percentage of total population

100.0%

2024

64.4%

2024

57.6%

2024

Information Infrastructure

Singapore

Region

World

Internet Users

Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.

percentage of population

94.4%

2024

86.6%

2024

71.2%

2024

Female Internet Users

This indicator refers to female individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.

percentage of female population

94.0%

2023

85.5%

2024

68.2%

2024

Male Internet Users

This indicator refers to male individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.

percentage of male population

-

85.5%

-

Access to Electricity

Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources.

percentage of population

100.0%

2023

98.4%

2023

91.6%

2023

Economy, Poverty, and Employment

Singapore

Region

World

GDP per Capita

This indicator provides values for gross domestic product (GDP) expressed in current international dollars, converted by purchasing power parities (PPPs). PPPs account for the different price levels across countries and thus PPP-based comparisons of economic output are more appropriate for comparing the output of economies and the average material well-being of their inhabitants than exchange-rate based comparisons. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This series has been linked to produce a consistent time series to counteract breaks in series over time due to changes in base years, source data and methodologies. Thus, it may not be comparable with other national accounts series in the database for historical years. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. The PPP conversion factor is a currency conversion factor and a spatial price deflator. PPPs convert different currencies to a common currency and, in the process of conversion, equalize their purchasing power by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries, thereby allowing volume or output comparisons of GDP and its expenditure components.

current international $

150,689

2024

27,212.2

2024

24,405

2024

Poverty Rate

Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

percentage of population

-

2.0%

2024

10.3%

2024

Inequality

Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.

percentage

-

0.0%

-

Unemployment

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.

percentage of total labor force

2.7%

2024

4.4%

2021

6.2%

2021

Inactive Youth

The share of youth not in education, employment or training (also known as “the NEET rate”) conveys the number of young persons not in education, employment or training as a percentage of the total youth population. Youth not in education are those who were neither enrolled in school nor in a formal training program (e.g. vocational training). For the purposes of this indicator, youth is defined as all persons between the ages of 15 and 24 (inclusive).


percentage of youth population

6.0%

2024

15.4%

2000

-

Education and Literacy

Singapore

Region

World

Education Spending

General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.


percentage of GDP

2.2%

2024

3.5%

2023

3.5%

2023

Adult Literacy Rate

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of people ages 15 and above

97.7%

2021

3.5%

2023

87.7%

2024

Female Adult Literacy

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of females ages 15 and above

96.4%

2021

95.3%

2024

84.6%

2024

Male Adult Literacy

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of males ages 15 and above

96.4%

2021

97.9%

2024

90.9%

2024

Female Youth Literacy

Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of females ages 15-24

99.9%

2021

99.2%

2024

92.0%

2024

Male Youth Literacy

Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of males ages 15-24

99.9%

2021

99.0%

2024

94.1%

2024

Research and Innovation

Singapore

Region

World

Research Spending

Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.


percentage of GDP

2.2%

2020

2.8%

2022

2.7%

2022

Researchers

The number of researchers engaged in Research &Development (R&D), expressed as per million. Researchers are professionals who conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models techniques instrumentation, software of operational methods. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.


per million people

7,917

2021

2,304.4

2022

1,516

2018

Scientific Articles

Article counts refer to publications from a selection of conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals from Scopus in science and engineering fields, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Taxonomy of Disciplines.


fractional count

12,700

2022

1,294,313.1

2022

3,338,192

2022

National Library Associations

Library Association of Singapore (LAS)

The Library Association of Singapore (LAS) is the national organization representing the interests of library and information professionals in Singapore. Membership comprises professional librarians as well as others who are interested in library and information work. LAS has about 400 members comprising  various membership such as Professional members, Associate Members, Institutional members, and Life members. LAS provides opportunities for networking, professional advancement and sharing of latest developments through its publications, talks, visits, conferences, training courses and social activities.

National Library Singapore

The National Library is entrusted to collect, preserve, and make available Singapore’s documentary heritage. It also includes the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, which provides the largest selection of reference works for the general public including citizen researchers and scholars. The collection of over 2 million items covers a wide range of published and primary sources including photographs, maps, private papers, manuscripts, published newspapers & ephemera, books and audio-visual recordings. In July 2018, the National Library Board Act was amended to enable the National Library to collect digital publications and carry out web archiving of .sg domain websites.

Ministry of Communication & Information (MCI)

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) is a ministry of the Government of Singapore. The MCI oversees the development of the information and communication technology, cyber security, and media and design sectors; the national library, national archives and public libraries; as well as Government’s information and public communication policies. MCI’s mission is to connect Singaporeans to community, government and opportunity, enabled by trustworthy infrastructure and technology.

National Library Board (NLB)

The National Library Board (NLB) oversees a network of public libraries, the National Library  as well as the National Archives. The NLB is in charge of establishing and maintaining libraries, promoting reading and encouraging learning through use of library services, administering legal deposit, collection development of libraries, establishing standards for the training of library staff, compiling and maintaining a national union catalogue and a national bibliography, providing repository of archives, recording, preserving and disseminating the history of Singapore through oral history, advising the Government on needs and policies related to libraries, and other related matters. Full list of NLB’s functions and powers can be found in the National Library Board Act.

There are no library support organisations in Singapore.

National Policy for Libraries

There is no information available.

National Library Board Act

The Act, last amended on 31 January 2019, sets out the establishment, constitution, functions and powers of the National Library Board (NLB).

Professional Qualification Requirements

There is no information available.

Education

In Singapore, the Master of Science in Information Studies programme is offered by the Nanyang Technological University. It is seen as a professional qualification for information professionals working in libraries and information centres. This programme builds skills across the breadth of the information studies field and provides opportunities for students to take courses in either Library Science or Information Analytics.

BiblioAsia

BiblioAsia is a flagship journal of the National Library, Singapore. Published quarterly, it promotes the collections and programmes of the National Library and fosters research and learning in the history, arts and culture of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Contributors to the journal include librarians, archivists, and researchers from various subject expertise.

Read!Fest

Read! Fest, organised by the National Library Board, is an annual event that is anchored on Singapore writing of different genres, with a programme line-up celebrating Singapore’s literary landscape with  authors, poets, graphic novelists, librarians and artists. These programmes from meet the author sessions, book discussions, workshops to film screenings and performances are tailored to suit the  palates of  the wide range of audience that the festival attracts. Started in 2014, Read! Fest has grown to attract an audience size of over 10,000 participants in 2018.

National Reading Day

National Reading Day which happens on the last Saturday of July rounds up Read! Fest by engaging the community in the promotion of reading. A slew of reading-related events, programmes and activities led by the community are held at the public libraries and beyond. A key National Reading Day charity event, Read for Books has been organized since 2016 to give a new book to children/teens from less privileged backgrounds. In 2018, 238,864 participants read together and raised books for charity.

Re-making Libraries

The Library Association of Singapore organises a bi-annual conference for library and information professionals. This year’s theme on “Re-making Libraries: Innovate, Connect, Transform” presents the opportunity for library and information professionals to meet to gain insights on the latest and emerging trends in the field and to learn best practices from the experiences of others. It is also an opportunity for practitioners to network and exchange ideas with one another.

Library Location Resources