About
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The gallery is open for organised public tours only from 15 Feb – 30 July 2023. Book a visit here.
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Level 13, Rare Gallery, National Library Building
The Rare Collection Gallery showcases treasures from the National Library's Rare Materials Collection of valuable research materials on Singapore and Southeast Asia. Comprising over 15,000 books, journals, manuscripts, maps, photographs and ephemera, many of the items in the collection were inherited from the National Library's predecessors — the Singapore Library (1844 – 1874) and the Raffles Museum and Library (1874 – 1960). The collection is also further enhanced by recent donations from institutions and individuals. The items on display are regularly refreshed to highlight the various interesting artefacts from the Rare Materials Collection, and is open for viewing during organised public tours.
Current display:
Light Amidst Adversity
15 Feb 2023 – 30 July 2023
Using historical and archival materials from the collections of the National Library and the National Archives, Light Amidst Adversity seeks to explore the themes of resistance and resilience during World War II as well as post-war remembrance in Singapore. The display features a selection of rare books, photographs, artworks, personal documents, and ephemera that record local war preparations and poignant stories in a time of adversity.
Current Programme
“Defending the Little Red Dot”
The responsibility of defending a nation rests on its people. Every year, Singapore commemorates Total Defence Day on 15 February, which marks the fall of Singapore in 1942. For this year's Total Defence Day, the National Library Board presents Defending the Little Red Dot, a campaign packed with talks, book displays and film screenings, highlighting stories of resistance and resilience during the Japanese Occupation, and the importance of preparedness in the digital age.