NUS Libraries

Did you know that Kampong Glam once served as a key departure and transit point for Muslim pilgrims from Southeast Asia heading for the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken as part of the Islamic faith?

In conjunction with Hari Raya Haji (also known as Eid al-Adha or the Great Day of Sacrifice), we feature some archival materials from our special collections that shed light on Singapore’s historical role as one of the region’s most important pilgrimage ports in the 1800s.

You can explore this collection digitally via Digital Gems, or in person at the Central Library! Visit lib.nus.edu.sg to find out more.

We’re closing the UTown Book drop after 1 June 2026. But don’t worry, there’s another Book drop in UTown, at the C J Koh Law Library! If you don’t know how to get there, our mascot Libbie can show you - watch this video to find out more!

How can libraries help equip communities to navigate a rapidly changing information landscape?

In 2025, we continued empowering the NUS community through Jumpstart Minis workshops, offering hands-on exposure to emerging technologies such as 360 video editing, 3D printing, AR, and photogrammetry. We also integrated AI capabilities into our Summon Research Assistant in NUSearch+ to enhance the discovery of quality resources, and partnered with faculties to embed AI-mediated information literacy and research skills into curricula.

Beyond NUS, we launched TULLIP (Transforming University Libraries Leadership & Innovation Programme) to equip library professionals across the region with practical skills, innovation tools, and cross-cultural insights to drive change in their academic libraries. Watch this reel to learn more!

This is part of our 2025 Unpacked series, highlighting key milestones that advanced interdisciplinary learning, research, and innovation across the NUS community.

Libraries may be best known for books, but our collections hold so much more 👀

To mark International Museum Day, our librarian Gladys takes us around Central Library to spotlight some unique artefacts that you might not expect to find in a library. Come visit us and discover them for yourself!

How can libraries make knowledge more accessible and discoverable in a digital world?

In 2025, we introduced NUSearch+, a unified platform that lets you search across both our libraries’ resources and NUS Museum collections. That means you’re no longer limited to books and manuscripts - you can now discover artefacts, paintings and more, all in one place!

We also continued to help NUS researchers make their work more accessible through open access (OA), where anyone, anywhere can access their scholarly inputs for free. Check out this video to learn how we helped strengthen the visibility and reach of NUS research.

This is part of our 2025 Unpacked series, where we revisit the milestones that shaped our past year and helped advance interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation for our NUS community!

No, we aren't showcasing fun guys at Medicine+Science Library (though we can be quite a fun bunch 🥳😝💃).

The Fun(gi) Exhibition is a collaboration between NUS Libraries, Dr Amy Choong from the Department of Biological Sciences) and the students of LSM3259 (Fungal Biology). Offering a creative look into the world of fungi, the exhibition promises to be a very colourful and accessible experience! Check out the video for some highlights from the exhibition. Do catch it if you can, 'cos there ain't *mush-room* 🍄 left to view the exhibition - it closes 5 Jun 2026.

The Fun(gi) Exhibition is now open at the Medicine+Science Library TEL Imaginarium on Level 1, open 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays (except public holidays), from now til 5 Jun 2026.

How can libraries help keep culture and heritage alive for future generations?

In 2025, we stepped up our efforts in preserving culture and heritage through our Special Collections. From the private collection of local comedian Wang Sha, to the legacy of Bugis seafarers, and the field notes of a wartime ornithologist, we’re proud to be given the opportunity to continue growing and digitising our collections to make these resources more accessible for all.

We also kicked off the second run of our TF–NUS Heritage Champions programme, equipping students with funding, mentorship, and training to bring their ideas to life and celebrate Singapore’s diverse heritage through community engagement and storytelling. Watch this video to catch a glimpse of these newly added gems and initiatives, and learn more about them!

This is part of our 2025 Unpacked series, where we revisit the milestones that shaped our past year and helped advance interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation for our NUS community.

Happy everyone! For many of us, today is simply a day of rest from our labours. But did you know that Labour Day (also known as May Day) commemorates organised workers in Singapore, and their contributions to Singapore? You might not be aware, but trade unions in Singapore are very much alive and thriving!

To mark the occasion, we’re taking you closer to some fascinating finds from our Singapore-Malaysia Collection that highlight the work of the Labour movement in Singapore over the years. Swipe right to view them!

From historical documents and reports to speeches and records, we have many more materials that can offer a deeper look into the evolution of organised labour in Singapore. Discover more on our Library Portal at lib.nus.edu.sg, visit our Digital Gems special collections online, or reach out to us to view them in person.