biblio asia outline.indd - National Library Singapore

Editorial/ProductionEditorPublishing and ResearchServices, National Library BoardContributorsDr Derek Heng, MakeswaryPeriasamy, Wong Tack Wai,Hameedah Ibrahim, Vicky Gao,Veronica Chee, Sharon Foo, WanWee Pin and Eunice LowProduction CoordinatorsVeronica Chee, Lynn FongDesignerThe Press RoomPhotographyKelley Cheng, © Kelley Cheng©National Library BoardSingapore 2005ISSN: 0219-8126All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmittedin any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording or otherwise, without priorpermission of the publisher, the National Library BoardSingapore.Whilst the National Library Board Singapore has usedreasonable endeavours to ensure that the informationprovided in the publication is accurate and up to date as atthe time of issue, it reserves the right to make correctionsand does not warrant that it is complete.The National Library Board disclaims all liability andresponsibility for any loss caused to any person by anyact or omission, due to the material contained in thispublication.If you have any comments,questions or suggestions aboutthis publication, please directthem to:Publishing & Research ServicesNational Library Board100 Victoria Street, #07-02Singapore 188064Tel: +65 6333 7977Fax: +65 6333 7990Email: cis@nlb.gov.sgWebsite: http://www.nlb.gov.sgContentsChief Executive’s MessageNovember 12, 2005 marks a majormilestone in the learning journeyof Singapore in its 40 th year as anation. The National Library Boardis pleased to announce that the newNational Library building will beofficially opened by the President ofSingapore, Mr S R Nathan. I wouldlike to thank all Singaporeans fortheir patience and support duringthe period of construction. You arethe reason for us to celebrate thisauspicious occasion.We have entered into a new phaseof global competition. Economieshave progressively becomeknowledge-based, with knowledgeand services replacing capital andcommodities as the main drivers ofeconomic growth. The knowledgebasedeconomy, together with newinfo-communications technologiesheralds the death of distance andseparation. It has created an ondemandand “Inform-me” culturewhere information needs to be madeaffordable and available. With that,patrons now want us to help themfind and validate information fromdisparate sources. Successfuleconomies of the future will bedetermined by ‘Knowmatics’or ‘Knowledge Science’ and‘Knowledge Technology’. Theyprovide the tools for the effectiveprocessing and application ofknowledge for the common manand the experts alike.The National Library will supportSingapore’s aspiration to becomethe global brain reserve of thetwenty-first century. As a premierinformation institution and anational knowledge manager, wehave repositioned ourselves tosupport research and development.We will function as a gateway toknowledge experts and resources.We will also coordinate resourcesharing between research institutionsand build-up strengths in areasthat power the competitiveness ofSingapore’s economy. The NationalLibrary recognises its role inaggregating Singapore’s knowledgeassets and we will continue to ensureeasy access to them. We will make itpossible to bring all the knowledgespread across domains or disciplinesinto a single or unified system ofconglomerated or embedded systemso that the average Singaporean canattain expertise in several domainswithin a short span of time. Whilstwe facilitate knowledge creation,we need to simultaneously equipSingaporeans with the necessaryskills to make productive use ofknowledge. Encouraging life-longliteracy and self-improvementwould be a major initiative of theNational Library in going forward.This library will be home to anoutstanding Asian and SoutheastAsian collection network, thelargest of any in Asia. The NationalLibrary will be a dynamic, resourcerich,downtown destination– an essential gathering place thatinspires learning, invites interaction,collaboration and improves accessto knowledge for everyone. Apublic-private partnership willensure the excellence and financialviability of the National Library andits services.Finally, we would like to encourageyou to continue learning andexploring, for Knowledge ignitesImagination, and with imagination,we create endless Possibility.N Varaprasad (Dr)Chief ExecutiveNational Library Board, Singapore03