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National Library Exhibitions

About

Find out about Human x Nature: Environmental Histories of Singapore.

Last updated 21 July 2026
"Human X Nature" exhibition until Sep 26, 2021, Level 10 National Library Building, surrounded by illustrations of animals and plants.
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Museum exhibit titled "Human X Nature: Environmental Histories of Singapore," with forest photos projected on walls.
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  • 9 April – 26 September 2021

  • 10:00am – 9:00pm

  • Level 10, Gallery, National Library Building

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Singapore’s natural environment, as we know and experience today, is the result of a long history of knowledge gathering, plantation agriculture and attempts at rehabilitation. This exhibition explores our relationships with the natural world from cultural understandings and scientific study to commercial and urban land use, as well as conservation and restoration.

Modelled after our changing natural landscapes, the exhibition features a dazzling array of natural history books, botanical prints, plantation photographs and maps from the collections of the National Library and National Archives, together with herbarium and natural history specimens on loan from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Urban Redevelopment Authority. Visitors will learn about various understandings of the natural world, and how they shaped the different ways local, colonial, and migrant communities lived within and transformed the natural landscape.

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Brochure and Exhibition Guide

Download the brochure and exhibition guide below:

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Publications

BiblioAsia:

Blog Posts:

Digital Curators' tour video

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An exhibit titled "Library of Life," featuring illuminated botanical and animal illustrations lining the walls.

Library Of Life

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  • 9 April – 25 October 2021 (CLOSED)

  • 10:00am – 9:00pm

  • Level 1, Lobby, National Library Building

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Library of Life features four themed collections: Field Books, Fossil Stories, The Insect World, and Curious Creatures. Browse curated highlights from overseas institutions and the National Library, Singapore. Take part in a fun multimedia interactive display that showcases natural history illustrations and facts about our native biodiversity.

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A colorful museum exhibit features animal cutouts, informational panels, and a pink display stand in a carpeted room.

Animal Friends

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  • 7 April – 24 October 2021 (CLOSED)

  • Jurong Regional Library, Level 2 | 7 April - 15 June 2021

  • National Library Building, Level 1, Lobby | 17 June - 1 August 2021

  • Woodlands Regional Library, Level 1 | 2 August - 24 October 2021

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Did you know that tigers once roamed the forests of Singapore? More than a hundred years ago, tigers habitually swam across the Johor Strait to Singapore island via Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. They came to find food and raise their young. Animal Friends tells the story of Rimau, a tiger that travels to Singapore in search of new friends. Follow Rimau as she meets four animals and learn about their relationships with people and the natural world.

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Private Tours

For enquiries on exhibition tours, please email visitnls@nlb.gov.sg.

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