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{{Short description|Demolished library building in Singapore}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
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{{For|its successor|National Library, Singapore}}{{Infobox library
| library_name = Old National Library Building
| name_en = 
| library_logo = 
| image = Old National Library-Singapore.jpg
| caption = A commemorative postcard of the old National Library building at 91 [[Stamford Road]], Singapore, {{circa|2004}}.
| country = Singapore
| type = [[National library]]
| scope = 
| established = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1960|11|12}}
| dissolved = {{End date and age|df=yes|2004|03|31}}
| ref_legal_mandate = 
| location = 91 [[Stamford Road]], Singapore 178896
| coordinates = {{Coord|1|17|44.3|N|103|50|56.4|E|display=inline,title|region:SG_type:landmark}}
| branch_of = [[National Library Board]]
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The '''Old National Library Building''' was a library building at [[Stamford Road]], located in the [[Museum Planning Area]] of Singapore. The library building was first suggested by Chinese philanthropist [[Lee Kong Chian]] in 1953, who wanted to establish a free multilingual public library; before this, most libraries were private. His suggestion was supported by the British government, and construction began the following year. The building was completed and officially opened in 1960 as the Raffles National Library, taking its name from the Raffles Library which it succeeded, and became a national icon for many Singaporeans.

Known for its red-brick exterior, the library would operate for over four decades, during which many advancements were made to improve its services such as creating [[Mobile libraries|mobile]] and branch libraries. The building additionally housed a reference library, a [[Microfilm reader|microfilm reading]] room, a lecture hall, and [[Library stack|stacks]] for storage purposes. The library's first Singaporean director, [[Hedwig Anuar]], helped with popularising the library among the youth and managing it from 1960 to 1988. Near its final years in 2001, the library's collection would peak at 6,861,100 books.

In the late 1980s, plans were announced in [[Parliament of Singapore|Parliament]] of the construction of a new National Library at [[Victoria Street, Singapore|Victoria Street]]. Despite a huge groundswell of public dissent, the library was closed on 31 March 2004 and was demolished later that year to make way for the construction of the [[Fort Canning Tunnel]] to ease road traffic to the city. The controversy surrounding the building's demise has been credited with sparking greater awareness of local cultural roots and an unprecedented wave in favour of heritage conservation among Singaporeans.

== Description ==

=== Site ===
The library was located at 91 [[Stamford Road]], near [[Fort Canning Hill]] in Singapore's [[Museum Planning Area]]. It was formerly occupied by the St John Ambulance Headquarters and British Council Hall which were demolished to make way for the library.<ref name=":1" />{{Sfn|Kwok|2000|pp=8–16}} The total [[floor area]] of the library was about {{Convert|101500|sqft}}.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Anuar |first=Hedwig |author-link=Hedwig Anuar |date=1 January 1962 |title=Singapore's National Library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stannual19620101-1.2.45? |access-date=6 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=58–59}}</ref>

=== Architecture ===
[[File:Red brick of the Old National Library Building.jpg|left|thumb|One of the red bricks of the building.]]
The library was designed by architects from the [[Public Works Department (Singapore)|Public Works Department]], with consultation from [[L. M. Harrod]]. It was made out of a reinforced concrete and brick, with the exterior painted red and select bricks decorated by cement pointings. Its red-brick exterior was supposed to be reminiscent of British architecture in the early 1950s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim Sun Hock |first=Jon |date=19 February 2000 |title=National Library, our heritage and a treasure |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20000219.2.91.2 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=69 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Upon its opening, the building received criticism for its appearance, with architect [[William S. W. Lim|William Lim Siew Wai]] stating that the building should appear as a monument of Singapore. Another architect, Ong Eng Han, said that it was "a jumble of architectural sections which [had] been lumped together to form a haphazard whole."<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 1960 |title=Library building in Singapore is severely criticised |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19600704-1.2.59 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=7 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mok-Ai |first=Ian |date=9 July 1960 |title=They gasp with horror at this 'monstrous monument' |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19600709-1.2.51 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press]] |pages=4 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

The building was two-storeys tall, excluding the basement, and took a T-shaped form. The basement was used as a storage room, a workshop to repair [[mobile libraries]], an area to catalogue and process books, and the air-conditioning plant, which served the offices, [[lecture hall]], and [[mezzanine]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The first floor had the exhibition hall, libraries for adults and children, a [[Braille]] library for the blind, an activities room for children which held puppet shows, a lecture hall, and work departments. The lecture hall had space for around 200 people, and could be hired out for lectures, films, or other meeting purposes. It consisted of a stage and projector with its own entrance separate to the building so that it could be accessed even when the library was closed. The [[mezzanine]] had offices and training rooms for library staff.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

The second floor had a reference library, study area, [[microfilm]] reading room, conference room, and reading room, the latter of which was typically used by secondary school students for studying. The conference room could seat about 50 people and, much like the lecture hall, was hired out for local use. Furthermore, a five-storey building was erected nearby to help store books and archive government documents, serving as the library's [[Library stack|stack]]. It was designed in such a way that it could be expanded exponentially to help store future items. Although the stacks were not directly accessible to the public, a book lift was incorporated for readers. The five-storey building, alongside the offices, lecture hall, and mezzanine, was among the few areas to receive air-conditioning.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />{{efn|Initial plans were to have the entire building be air-conditioned, but it was reduced to specific rooms to save money.<ref name=":2" />|name=fn1}}

[[File:Old National Library-The Courtyard.jpg|thumb|A commemorative postcard showing the library's cafe (background) and fountain, {{Circa|2004}}.]]
In the centre, there was a small open air courtyard which was occupied by a fountain and cafe, known as the Coffee Club Xpress cafe.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> The courtyard was mainly used as a recreational area, holding multiple weekly events. These weekly programmes, which were launched in June 1998, were hosted to both bring non-readers to the library and serve as an area for people to express themselves. Known as Xpressions @ the Courtyard, it featured presentations on ''[[feng shui]]'', business, [[Cantonese opera]], [[Dance in India|Indian dance]], music, film-making, and poetry, which typically brought around 115 people per session.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Rebecca |date=26 June 1998 |title=Rock and movies at the library? |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19980626-1.2.118.6.6? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=26 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Jessica |date=10 July 1999 |title=Library learns to put down the book and Xpress itself |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990710-1.2.102.16? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=13 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

=== Facilities ===
Two years after its opening in 1960, the library was estimated to be able to hold around 250,000 books, with space for further expansion.<ref name=":2" /> In 1995, its collection grew to 407,794 books (74% written in English, 15% in Chinese, 8% in Malay, and 3% in Tamil).<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 1995 |title=National Library wants more people to read Malay-language books |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19951009-1.2.67.7.6? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=9 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> It would gain access to a further 21 million books in Chinese in 1997 following an agreement between the [[National Library Board]] and the [[National Library of China]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ong |first=Sor Fern |date=21 October 1997 |title=Library gains access to 21 m Chinese books |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19971021-1.2.76.2? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=2 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> Additionally, the library had 4,000 volumes of music, 200 books in Braille, and 1,000 microfilms. The library also maintained subscriptions with around 400 [[Periodical literature|periodicals]] and 500 [[Annual publication|annuals]].<ref name=":2" /> By 2001, the library had accumulated a collection of 6,861,100 books.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|p=15}}

The library could seat different amounts of people per area, with space for 100 in the adult library, 100 in the children's library, and 200 in the reference library.<ref name=":2" /> However, the library would receive frequent complaints on the lack of accommodation, particularly during [[Rush hour|peak hours]] or examination periods, with students taking up most of the seats during the latter.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 1963 |title=Congestion |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19631204-1.2.3.3? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Budget]] |pages=2 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=T. C. |date=31 October 1964 |title=No place to rest and read |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19641031-1.2.103.10? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=13 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 1973 |title=Now it's the floor-sitters |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19730618-1.2.11? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[New Nation (Singapore)|New Nation]] |pages=1 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The library's book shelves were made with balau timber that were further graded and painted using insecticide solution to help maintain the books. Dark red [[Shorea|meranti timber]] was used in making the furniture, which itself was made by the Singapore Prisons Department. The stacks were made with steel.<ref name=":2" />

In 1964, the library was expanded with a Southeast Asia Room, which included archives, journals, newspapers, and photographs relating to Southeast Asia. This collection, known as the Ya Yin Kwan collection, comprised around 10,000 items that were donated to the library by Malaysian businessman Tan Yeok Seng and was officially opened by [[Ministry of Culture (Singapore)|Minister for Culture]] [[S. Rajaratnam]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 1964 |title=Plea to help preserve our history |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19640830-1.2.25.1? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=10 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajaratnam |first=S. |author-link=S. Rajaratnam |date=28 August 1964 |title=Singapore Government Press Statement |url=https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/PressR19640828.pdf |access-date=5 April 2025 |publisher=[[National Archives of Singapore]]}}</ref>

From the 1980s to 1990s, the library would improve their services by utilising technology. The library's first computers were taken from the [[Ministry of Finance (Singapore)|Ministry of Finance]]'s Computer Services Department.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1979 |title=$1.2m wares for library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19790405-1.2.18? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[New Nation (Singapore)|New Nation]] |pages=4 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In 1983, audio-visual equipment was purchased to allow audio-visual materials such as [[Filmstrip|filmstrips]], [[Videotape|videotapes]], [[Photographic slide|slides]], and cassettes to be viewed or listened to. The rooms containing the equipment could seat around 12 people. Moreover, the library launched a borrowing service for audio-visual materials.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alfred |first=Hedwig |date=13 May 1983 |title=Library to start audio-video loan scheme |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19830513-1.2.9? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=1 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In 1988, the library temporarily stopped readers from borrowing books for the purpose of cataloguing its entire collection into a computer database, which subsequently allowed readers to identify the book they were looking for via computer terminals in the library.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ong |first=Carolina |date=2 June 1988 |title=On-line plan to make National Library visit such a breeze |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880602-1.2.27.13? |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=19 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In 1995, National Library, alongside other libraries in Singapore, added terminals for reader's use which allowed free access to the internet at any of these locations; the National Library had three, two in the reference library and one in the loan section.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 1995 |title=Free Internet access from any public library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19951007-1.2.37.14? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=33 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> They could be used to renew books, search through the library's catalogue, and ask questions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yap |first=Jimmy |date=1 April 1995 |title=National Library goes on-line on Internet |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stoverseas19950401-1.2.19? |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=24 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

{{External image|image1=[https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/images/Vol%2021%20Issue%202/Frames%20of%20Memory/frames_newcounter.jpg The refurbished interior of the National Library], via [[National Library Board]]|float=right|image2=[https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/images/Vol%2021%20Issue%202/Frames%20of%20Memory/frames_lobby.jpg The self-borrowing stations in the library], via National Library Board}}

After the library's renovation in 1998, more services and rooms were added such as a student resource room, heritage room, current affairs room, Singapore-related resources room, and computer room. The floor was carpeted and the office area was converted into a larger, public space. This was to add more open spaces in the building, which was further increased by the creation of a lobby and courtyard, which totalled to an additional {{Convert|4000|sqft}} being added. The library also began adapting to the [[Information technology|IT]] age, as seen with its addition of a computer room that had 38 computers that could search on over 200 databases. Older books that were worn out were also removed and replaced with 60,000 newer books. This renovation saw the library's visitorship increase from 30,000 to 187,000 monthly.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Teo |first=Thiam Chye |date=1 April 1999 |title=WHY National Library was upgraded |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990401-1.2.15.3? |access-date=17 May 2025 |work=[[The New Paper]] |pages=11 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Background ===
[[File:Raffles Library and Museum (cropped).jpg|thumb|The Raffles Library, 1908]]
One of the earliest libraries in Singapore was established at the Singapore Free School (now known as [[Raffles Institution]]) in 1837. The school's library was small, being expanded in 1844 by residents into the Singapore Library. The Singapore Library used [[Subscription library|subscriptions]] as its main source of income, inevitably facing frequent financial difficulties.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 1844 |title=Untitled |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singfreepressa18441121-1.2.12.4? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser]] |pages=3 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In 1874, the Singapore Library would merge to form the Raffles Library, in return that the government would take over their debt and that the founders be given lifetime access to the new library.{{Sfn|Luyt|2008|p=3}}{{Sfn|Luyt|2009|p=420}}

Despite being called a [[public library]], the Raffles Library was subscription-based and only had 349 members in 1899. In addition, its users were mainly Europeans and was stated to have been "generally less than welcoming" towards non-Europeans. Although there was a free [[Reference libraries|reading room]] where non-members could request books, it was also used sparingly, only receiving 4,000 visitors in 1878 or about 1.7% of Singapore's population at the time.{{Sfn|Luyt|2009|p=420}} The library also contained mostly English-language books, a language which only a minority of the Singaporean population could read.{{Sfn|Luyt|2008|p=3}}

The earliest suggestion of a change to the Raffles Library's policies was in 1940, when library director Frederick Chasen wrote a letter to the library's committee suggesting that they "do something for the mass of Singapore's people". However, Chasen did acknowledge that the "poorer class [would] be practically dead weight financially" and would "swamp the more fastidious element among the subscribers." Following [[World War II]], the library would be left unaffected, but anti-colonial and pro-independence sentiments grew amongst Singaporeans. This led to Singapore being granted slight internal governance in the 1950s.{{Sfn|Luyt|2009|pp=420–421}}

=== Construction ===
[[File:Lee Kong Chian, 1946.png|thumb|[[Lee Kong Chian]] contributed {{SGD|375000}} of the initial {{SGD|1000000}} budget to the construction of a public library.|left]]
As the [[Colony of Singapore]]'s politics changed, other aspects such as education also changed. In 1953, Chinese community leader and philanthropist [[Lee Kong Chian]] offered {{SGD|375000|link=on}} towards the creation of a free public library in Singapore, on the conditions that vernacular languages were promoted and encouraged to the public.{{efn|Lee had previously discussed the creation of a public library in May 1952, and was met with positive approval.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=11 September 1954 |title='Go Ahead' Signal For $ Million Colony Library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singstandard19540911-1.2.42? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[Singapore Tiger Standard|Singapore Standard]] |pages=3 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>}} The British government was quick to accept the offer, contributing {{SGD|625000}} to make up the {{SGD|1000000}} to be spent on the construction of the library.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 1953 |title=$1 Million Free Library Will Be Built Next Year |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530730-1.2.127? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=8 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>{{Sfn|Luyt|2009|p=421}}

The construction of the library officially began in September 1954; it was supposed to begin earlier in the year, but priority was instead given on the construction of the Teacher's Training College.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 1954 |title=Plans For A New Library Delayed |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singstandard19540427-1.2.42? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[Singapore Tiger Standard|Singapore Standard]] |pages=3 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The chosen site for the library was at the foot of [[Fort Canning Hill]] along [[Stamford Road]], and required demolishing the [[St John Singapore|St John Ambulance]] Headquarters and the British Council Hall to make way for the new library.{{Sfn|Kwok|2000|pp=8–16}} Raffles Library's librarian [[L. M. Harrod]] consulted with a Singaporean architect for the building's design.<ref name=":0" />

In 1955, the plans were updated to include space for a [[Traveling library|travelling library]], workshops, a [[Braille]] library, offices, and air-conditioning in certain rooms.{{efn|Air-conditioning was needed as books at Raffles Library were "rotting" due to Singapore's humidity.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 November 1955 |title=Rot sets in at Raffles Library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19551130-1.2.128? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=9 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>}}{{efn|name=fn1}} The building's frame would be made of reinforced concrete but feature a red-brick exterior, along with using [[Fluorescent lamp|fluorescent lighting]]. L. Bintley, acting Chief Architect of the [[Public Works Department (Singapore)|Public Works Department]], suggested that the new library design would be able to hold up to 100,000 books on the open shelves with a further 380,000 in storage rooms. However, this new design would cost {{SGD|2000000}}, leading to its construction being delayed during the 1956 Budget.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=20 November 1955 |title=City's New $2 Mil. Library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/sundaystandard19551120-1.2.33 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=Sunday Standard |pages=3 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In 1956, the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] stated that the library would be named the Raffles National Library, after the original Raffles Library.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 1956 |title=New Library Will Still Be Raffle's |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19560802-1.2.129? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Budget]] |pages=18 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

Construction restarted in 1957, with Lee laying the [[foundation stone]] of the building in August of that year. The library, which was expected to take two years to build, had an increased cost of {{SGD|2500000}} with the addition of a five-storey storage building that were planned to hold books and documents of both the library and the government. A [[Bill (law)|bill]] was also passed at the [[Legislative Assembly of Singapore|Legislative Assembly]] that made the library's use free for all.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=17 August 1957 |title=Start made on free library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19570817-1.2.60? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=4 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 1957 |title=$2½ Mil. Library Is Free |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19570816-1.2.10? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press]] |pages=2 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In 1959, [[Ministry of Culture (Singapore)|Minister for Culture]] [[S. Rajaratnam]] stated that the library's book collection would be reorganised and expanded to include more non-English language books.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 1959 |title=Raffles Library To Get New, Less English, Look Now |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19590704-1.2.11? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press]] |pages=1 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> Malay-language books were imported from Indonesia while children's books were translated to the four main languages of Singapore.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 1959 |title=National library to expand Asian sections |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19590908-1.2.35? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press]] |pages=3 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

=== Opening and subsequent developments ===
{{External image|image1=[https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/images/Vol%2021%20Issue%202/Frames%20of%20Memory/frames_guests.jpg Guests at the National Library at its opening], via [[National Library Board]]|float=right|image2=[https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/images/Vol%2021%20Issue%202/Frames%20of%20Memory/frames_speech.jpg Yang di-Pertuan Negara Yusof Ishak speaking at the opening of the National Library], via National Library Board}}
The library was officially opened on 12 November 1960 by [[Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore|Yang di-Pertuan Negara]] [[Yusof Ishak]], at which it was well-received.{{Sfn|Seet|2005|p=19}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 November 1960 |title=Cultural awakening |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19601113-1.2.35 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=5 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> Around 3,000 people visited the library daily, an increase from the 1,000 received by the Raffles Library.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Arthur |date=19 November 1960 |title=State's new National Library is now attracting 3,000 people |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19601119-1.2.66? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press]] |pages=7 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The library had 150,000 books, of which 14,000 were Chinese books, 3,300 were Malay and Indonesian books, and 3,700 were Tamil books. There was also an additional 177 Braille books and 4,000 volumes of music.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aroozoo |first=Lydia |date=12 November 1960 |title=S'pore's New Landmark |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19601112-1.2.59.1? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Singapore Free Press]] |pages=7 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The books were transferred from Raffles Library to the new library using lorries as part of the first phase of Operation Pinta; the second phase required the staff to arrange them onto the shelves.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 1960 |title=National Library to open on Wednesday |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19601027-1.2.58? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=5 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> In November 1960, the word "Raffles" was dropped from "Raffles National Library" and "Raffles National Museum", becoming known as the "National Library" and "[[National Museum of Singapore|National Museum]]", respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 1960 |title=Out goes the name Raffles |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19601121-1.2.88? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=9 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

[[Hedwig Anuar]] was appointed the first Singaporean director of the National Library in April 1960 and served until June 1961.{{Sfn|Seet|2005|p=160}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 1960 |title=Now A Woman Takes On Big Job In Singapore |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19600505-1.2.66? |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=7 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> Under Anuar's leadership as director, with further years as assistant director from 1962 to 1964 and a continued directorship from 1965 to 1988, she helped to popularise the library with the public. In 1960, she launched two programmes relating to the library, ''Our Library'', a magazine about recent happenings that was broadcast on [[Mediacorp|Radio Singapore]], and ''Off the Shelf'', a documentary about the mobile library service that was shown at local cinemas.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|pp=13–14}} Anuar also managed to attract a young generation by launching the Young Adult Service, a collection of books targeted towards young people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 April 1966 |title=New library service for 15-19 age group |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19660414-1.2.58? |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=9 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> This service would prove to be successful as the new collection would always be more than half empty and lead to an increase of 400 registrations a month.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|p=14}}

In the early years of the National Library, it suffered from a lack of proper staff; Harrod wrote in his final report that the library needed at least eleven full-time, professionally trained staff to manage it. At that time, there was only one full-time employee, himself, and one part-time employee. Furthermore, until 1957, the library staff could not write Chinese characters nor properly catalogue the books. This eventually came to the attention of the Singaporean government, which, using funds from the [[Colombo Plan]], appointed two foreign experts – John Cole and Priscilla Taylor – to help manage the library. Cole and Taylor were appointed the director and associate director of the National Library, respectively.{{Sfn|Luyt|2009|pp=421–422}}

Cole, much like Harrod, agreed that the main issue was the lack of qualified staff. In response, the government started giving scholarships to employees at the library to study overseas in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This helped in bringing the number of trained staff up to sixteen by 1963. However, the library would continue to struggle with an increased workload as the number of users grew exponentially, even with the number of staff increasing alongside it.{{efn|In an attempt to help reduce the number of people joining, the library set up a {{SGD|5}} [[Deposit (finance)|deposit]] for memberships in 1964.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|p=11}}|name=fn2}} In a 1965 board meeting, with thirty-six staff working at the library, it was stated that "the capacity of the staff was [...] being strained to its limits". By 1968, the issue would resolve itself as the library staff and users reached a "rough equilibrium".{{Sfn|Luyt|2009|pp=423–424}}

To help expand its collections, the library mainly relied on donations from the public. Some notable donations include 1,500 books by the Chinese Booksellers Association in 1960, books relating to careers by the Singapore Rotary Club in 1963, and a [[Carl Alexander Gibson-Hill]] collection about history, art, archaeology, zoology, and ornithology by [[Loke Cheng Kim]] in 1965. For the library's adult collection, they recruited specialists from the [[National University of Singapore]], [[Singapore Polytechnic]], and the Teacher's Training College; these efforts allowed the library to accumulate 6,861,100 books by 2001.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|pp=14–15}} The library also focused on its outreach, using both mobile libraries and creating more branches to offer its services in more rural areas; the National Library was located in the [[Central Region, Singapore|Central Region]] of Singapore.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|p=18}} One of the National Library's first branches was in built in [[Queenstown, Singapore|Queenstown]] in 1970. At the cost of {{SGD|646900}}, it was opened as [[Queenstown Public Library]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lourdes |first=A. |date=8 February 1970 |title=A library right at their doorstep in Queenstown |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19700208-1.2.70? |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=10 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

From the 1960s to the 1980s, the library became a popular destination for studying and socializing for young people from neighbouring schools such as [[Raffles Institution]], [[Raffles Girls' School]], [[St Joseph's Institution]], and [[Tao Nan School]] that had their early beginnings in this area. The landmark [[Balustrade]] or front porch and steps leading up to the Library became an intimate public space.{{Sfn|Kwok|2000|pp=24–26}}

In November 1980, the {{SGD|5}} deposit{{efn|name=fn2}} cost for the library's membership would be waived to allow more people to become members. Originally, people above fourteen years old had to pay the deposit, but it was changed to only foreigners having to pay it. The library further offered Singaporean members with the option to be refunded their {{SGD|5}} or to donate it to the library. This would lead to an increase of 8,900 free members to the library the following year.<ref>{{Cite news |date= 20 February 1981 |title=8,900 sign up after library waives $5 deposit |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19810220-1.2.64? |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=18 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> By 1984 however, the library struggled to get a full response from its members on whether they wanted their money refunded, leaving them with around {{SGD|620000}} that it was unable to use.<ref>{{Cite news |date= 10 February 1984 |title= Library's $5 problem still remains |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19840210-1.2.21.29? |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=15 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Westerhout |first=Dawn |date= 9 February 1984 |title= The National Library's $620,000 dilemma |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singmonitor19840209-2.2.5.12? |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=[[Singapore Monitor]] |pages=5 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The membership deposits were settled by 1985.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 November 1985 |title= Let us know if you want refund – library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19851112-1.2.32.3? |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=16 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

===''Civic and Cultural District Master Plan''===
A ''Civic and Cultural District Master Plan'' exhibition was held in 1988 by the [[Ministry of National Development (Singapore)|Ministry of National Development]] (MND) to garner public feedback to develop the central area into a historical, cultural, and retail zone. This master plan was aimed to revitalise Singapore's civic and cultural hub, citing the location of key cultural institutions such as the [[Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall]], the [[National Museum of Singapore|National Museum]], as well as the National Library within the district.<ref>{{cite news |author=Koh |first=Jennifer |date=12 March 1998 |title=Civic centre plan unveiled |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880312-1.2.4? |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=1 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 March 1988 |title=Strolling through 'Vintage City' |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880312-1.2.29.33? |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=22 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

On 28 May, MND minister [[S. Dhanabalan]] chaired a dialogue attended predominantly by invited professionals such as planners, architects, and property consultants to review the Master Plan exhibited a month earlier. During the professional dialogue, the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]]'s (URA) many micro-planning proposals were reviewed, including the proposed demolition of the National Library to create a "clear view of [[Fort Canning Hill]] from Bras Basah Park".<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 1988 |title=SIA promotes on-line reservations in India |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880529-1.2.19.6? |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=10 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Wee |first=Agnes |date=29 May 1998 |title=Professionals share views on Heart of Singapore |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880529-1.2.19.8? |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=11 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> No conclusive statement on the building's fate was made in the press report or in URA's publication, ''Skyline Vol. 37'' (November/December 1988).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://eservice.nlb.gov.sg/flipviewer/data/booksg_publish/2/2fe3f883-dfcb-4b5c-b822-990e5babcf5b/web/html5/index.html?opf=tablet/BOOKSG.xml&launchlogo=tablet/BOOKSG_BrandingLogo_.png&pn=1 |title=Skyline: Publication of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, v. 37 (Nov./Dec. 1988) |date=1988 |publisher=[[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] |volume=37}}</ref>

== Redevelopment ==
[[File:National Library, Singapore.JPG|thumb|upright|The new National Library at [[Victoria Street, Singapore|Victoria Street]], 2006]]
In March 1989, [[Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports#Ministers|Minister of State for Community Development]] [[Seet Ai Mee]] revealed to [[Parliament of Singapore|Parliament]] the plans to build a new National Library at the junction of Stamford Road and [[Queen Street, Singapore|Queen Street]], which would be located diagonally opposite the existing National Library. Moreover, planning an additional four new branches built in [[Yishun]], [[Tampines]], [[Hougang]], and [[Woodlands, Singapore|Woodlands]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 March 1989 |title=Plan for a new National Library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stoverseas19890325-1.2.5.22? |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=5 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=24 May 1989 |title=The Library Of Tomorrow |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890524-1.2.68.2? |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=1 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> This announcement generated extensive discussion in the ensuing months on the potential of a new National Library.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Koh |first=Nancy |date=24 May 1989 |title=What we want from the new library |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890524-1.2.68.4.6? |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=20 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> On 17 March 1990, the Ministry of Community Development confirmed in Parliament that the new National Library would be erected at the former [[Raffles Girls' School (Secondary)|Raffles Girls' School]] site on Queen Street. A library consultant was appointed the following month to advise on the planning of the new building.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 March 1990 |title=New National Library at ex-RGS site |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900317-1.2.35.30? |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=24 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

The 1992 ''Civic District Master Plan'' public exhibition was held from 22 to 26 February by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). An important revision was the mentioning of the one-way [[Fort Canning Tunnel]], entering the hill at the existing National Library and emerging at Penang Road, to be built by the year 2000. The URA explained that the {{Convert|380|m|abbr=on}} long tunnel would help smooth the major traffic intersection in front of [[Cathay Building]] and direct heavy traffic away from the [[Marina South|Marina]] to [[Orchard Road|Orchard]] areas, thus giving the [[Museum Planning Area|Museum precinct]] a peaceful and quiet ambience.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 February 1992 |title=Fort Canning tunnel |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19920221-1.2.7.5.4? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The New Paper]] |pages=4 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

Work on the tunnel was expected to start after the National Library was relocated to [[Victoria Street, Singapore|Victoria Street]] by 1996. In the extensive press reports in 1992, neither the demolition of the National Library building nor the reasons for changing the site of the new National Library to Victoria Street were given.<ref>{{cite news |author=Goh |first=Julia |date=21 February 1992 |title=A piece of peace in the city |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19920221-1.2.3? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=1}}</ref> In the subsequent 1997 ''Master Plan'' for the area, intentions for the Fort Canning Tunnel remained unchanged and it was not explicitly stated in the report that the National Library building would be demolished.{{Sfn|Kwok|2000|p=56}}

In April 1997, the Library was closed for a S$2.6 million upgrading and renovation programme to meet the needs of the [[Information technology|IT]] age by adding new computers and updating its collection with 80,000 volumes. It was planned to reopen on 1 October,<ref>{{cite news |author=Peralta |first=Claudette |date=12 March 1997 |title=National Library's 2.6m facelift |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970312-1.2.7.1? |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=2 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> but the renovations took nine months and the library was officially reopened on 16 January 1998. Its opening was officiated by [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore)|Minister of State for Foreign Affairs]] [[Ow Chin Hock]].<ref name=":7">{{cite news |author=Ong |first=Sor Fern |date=16 January 1998 |title=Welcome to 60,000 new books, 38 PCs |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19980116-1.2.106.12? |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=8}}</ref>

===Public dissent===
On 8 December 1998, a letter by Kelvin Wang to the ''[[The Straits Times|Straits Times Forum]]'' page triggered a string of events that would bring the normally passive Singaporeans to display rare sparks of civic activism. Wang brought to the public attention that there was a possibility that the National Library would be demolished, after a recent announcement by the newly formed [[Singapore Management University]] (SMU) that its new city campus would be sited in the [[Bras Basah]] area including the National Library's present site.<ref>{{cite news |author=Davie |first=Sandra |date=6 December 1998 |title=New campus at Bras Basah |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19981206-1.2.5.1 |url-access=subscription |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=2 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> Wang wrote:

{{blockquote|Bras Basah has lost too many unique buildings already, and we should not lose the National Library because it would mean that Singaporeans will not only lose another part of their history, but also a part of what forms their collective memory, which helps make Singapore "home".<ref>{{cite news | title = Let's not lose National Library too | first=Kelvin |last=Wang | date = 8 December 1998 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19981208-1.2.57.8? | work= [[The Straits Times]] |pages=43 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> |author=}}

In response, the SMU assured the public that they could play a part in deciding the fate of the National Library building as it had not yet decided what to do with the building.<ref>{{cite news | title = Public will have a say in building's fate | date = 9 December 1998 | work= [[The Straits Times]]}}</ref> On 13 March 1999, SMU organised a public symposium at the [[Singapore Art Museum]] to gather feedback for its campus masterplan. According to ''Straits Times'', the turnout was overwhelming, and the event was highly publicised lasting over 4 hours. This was the first occasion where the URA made public their definitive decision to demolish the National Library building.<ref>{{cite news |author=Nirmala |first=M. |date=14 March 1999 |title=National Library building to go |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990314-1.2.2? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=1 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> Furthermore, the Preservation of Monuments Board assessed that the building was not worthy of [[National monuments of Singapore|national monument]] status nor conservation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hsueh Yun |date=27 March 1999 |title=National Library building will not be conserved |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990327-1.2.60.2? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=51 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

From March to April 1999, there arose a huge groundswell of public dissent in the media over the National Library building's fate, as well as the drastic physical alterations of its environs. A number of featured columns by journalists touched on gradually disappearing heritage landmarks, as well as shared memories of Singaporeans.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ho |first=Weng Hin |date=16 March 1999 |title=Heed the people's call, conserve 'built' heritage |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990316-1.2.57.1? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |page=42 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 1999 |title=Library to go? What a waste! |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990324-1.2.15.2? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The New Paper]] |pages=12 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The [[National Library Board]] also defended its decision to renovate the library in 1997 when it was announced it would be demolished only a few years later. The upgrades were to bring it "up to par with the other libraries", which was seen in its increase in visitorship after the renovation.<ref name=":8" />

On 24 January 2000, after SMU chaired a technical workshop to obtain feedback on three alternative proposals, architect Tay Kheng Soon held a press conference at [[The Substation]] to unveil his unofficial SMU masterplan. His proposal entailed re-routing the tunnel to save the National Library building. A week later, Tay wrote to the [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister's Office]] regarding his proposal which was referred to the MND.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lim |first=Lydia |date=25 January 2000 |title=New plan for Bras Basah Park offered |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20000125-1.2.41.6? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=34 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> A number of people wrote in either in support of Tay's plans or arguing for heritage conservation in general. A few articles and letters highlighted that the adamant official response to public dissent ran counter to the spirit of the Government's ''S21 Vision'', which expressed a desire to foster civic participation and active citizenry.<ref>{{cite news |author=Cheang |first=Kum Hon |date=12 February 2000 |title=''S21 Vision'' at stake in library issue |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20000212-1.2.62.3? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=50 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Huay Chin |date=2 March 2000 |title=Open-ended debate would paralyse Govt |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20000302-1.2.70.3? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=57 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

On 7 March 2000, MND minister [[Mah Bow Tan]] announced in Parliament that the National Library building would have to be demolished. According to Mah, the authorities had assessed Tay's plans but concluded that the URA's plan was a better proposal for preserving the Civic District's ambience and being more people-friendly.<ref name=":6">{{cite news |author=Lim |first=Lydia |date=7 March 2000 |title=National Library building to go |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20000307-1.2.5.8? |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=4 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref>

== Aftermath and legacy ==
{{Multiple image
| image1            = Old National Library Site.jpg
| caption1          = The red pillars of the old National Library in 2007, at its original site
| image2            = Old National Library gate at SMU School of Accountancy - 2022-07-26.jpg
| caption2          = The pillars after being moved into SMU in 2022
| direction         = vertical
}}
The library continued to operate before officially closing on 31 March 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almenoar |first=Maria |date=25 March 2004 |title=Old National Library to live on on the Net |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20040325-1.2.8.1? |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |pages=3 |via=[[NewspaperSG]] |quote=It may not be the real thing, but it is as close as you will get to walking through the National Library in Stamford Road, after it closes its doors at 9pm on March 31.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Sharlene |date=25 March 2004 |title=Library goodbye next Wednesday |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/streats20040325-1.2.35.2.2? |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[Streats]] |pages=34 |via=[[NewspaperSG]]}}</ref> The old National Library building was eventually demolished during the construction of the [[Fort Canning Tunnel]].<ref name="today">{{cite news |author=Lin |first=Yanqin |date=30 March 2006 |title=Cutting through the hill to Orchard |url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/109861.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530211938/http://www.todayonline.com/articles/109861.asp |archive-date=30 May 2006 |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[Today (website)|Today]] |publisher=}}</ref> During the demolition, the two red-bricked pillars and fence were left behind as a remembrance at its original site, which stood near the tunnel. In 2019, SMU started construction of a five-storey addition, the Tahir Foundation Connexion, to the SMU city campus and the pillars and fence were temporarily removed from its location. The pillars and fence were restored to their original location and integrated into the campus the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former National Library (Stamford Road) Entrance Pillars |url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/places/places-landing/Places/surveyed-sites/Former-National-Library-Stamford-Road-Entrance-Pillars |access-date=7 April 2025 |website=Roots |publisher=[[National Heritage Board (Singapore)|National Heritage Board]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the years following its destruction, the building has remained a fond memory for many Singaporeans. The controversy surrounding the building's demise has also been credited for sparking greater awareness of local cultural roots and an unprecedented wave in favour of heritage conservation among Singaporeans.{{Sfn|Lin|Luyt|2014|pp=21–25}} In 2023, ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' included the building on a list of seven former Singapore landmarks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khalid |first=Cam |date=13 April 2023 |title=7 iconic landmarks in Singapore that we've lost but not forgotten |url=https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/the-lost-landmarks-and-buildings-in-singapore |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241013130330/https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/the-lost-landmarks-and-buildings-in-singapore |archive-date=13 October 2024 |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> The old National Library building was also included in a mural of Singapore landmarks in [[City Hall MRT station]] as part of the Art-in-Transit programme.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comic Connect – City Hall – View Details |url=https://www.smrt.com.sg/getmedia/dd35e895-a937-47ce-8cbd-0bf345b2c6e9/11-city-hall.pdf |access-date=10 September 2024 |publisher=[[SMRT Corporation]]}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[National Library, Singapore]] – the building's successor
*[[National Theatre, Singapore]] – a similar site that was also demolished to make way for a tunnel

==References==
=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
*{{Cite book |last=Kwok |first=Kian Woon |title=Memories and the National Library: Between Forgetting and Remembering |date=2000 |publisher=Singapore Heritage Society |isbn=9789810428969 |pages=1–219}}
*{{Cite book |last=Seet |first=K. K. |author-link=K. K. Seet |title=Knowledge, Imagination, Possibility: Singapore's Transformative Library |date=2005 |publisher=SNP Editions |isbn=9789812481078}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Luyt |first=Brendan |date=2009 |title=Colonialism, Ethnicity, and Geopolitics in the Development of the Singapore National Library |journal=[[Libraries & the Cultural Record]] |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=418–433 |doi=10.1353/lac.0.0101 |issn=1932-4855 |jstor=20720617|hdl=10356/79678 |hdl-access=free }}
*{{Cite journal |last=Luyt |first=Brendan |date=2008 |title=Centres of calculation and unruly colonists: the colonial library in Singapore and its users, 1874-1900. |journal=[[Journal of Documentation]] |volume=64 |issue=3 |pages=386–396 |doi=10.1108/00220410810867597 |issn=0022-0418|hdl=10356/79679 |hdl-access=free }}
*{{Cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=Hui |last2=Luyt |first2=Brendan |date=2014 |title=The National Library of Singapore: creating a sense of community. |journal=[[Journal of Documentation]] |volume=70 |issue=4 |pages=658–675 |doi=10.1108/JD-11-2012-0148 |issn=0022-0418|hdl=10356/105160 |hdl-access=free }}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Philip |title=Moments in Time: Memories of the National Library |date=2004 |publisher=[[National Library Board (Singapore)|National Library Board]] |isbn=9789810516857}}
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[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Singapore]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1960]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2004]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Singapore]]
[[Category:Libraries established in 1960]]
[[Category:Library buildings completed in 1960]]
[[Category:2004 disestablishments in Singapore]]
[[Category:Libraries in Singapore]]
[[Category:Museum Planning Area]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in Singapore]]
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