National Library Board Act 1995 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Establishment, Constitution, Functionsand Powers of Board
6. Functions of Board
Feedback & supportThe functions of the Board are —
to establish and maintain libraries and to provide library information services;
to promote reading and encourage learning through the use of libraries and their services;
to provide a repository for library materials published in Singapore;
library materials
“library materials” means —(a)any book, periodical, newspaper, pamphlet, musical score, map, chart, plan, picture, photograph or matter, in printed or electronic form;(b)any visual image (including a computer‑generated image) or sound, or aggregate of visual images or sounds or both, or data —(i)embodied in or recorded on a film (including a microfilm or a microfiche), negative, tape, disc, sound track or other device or thing, so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced from it; or(ii)transmitted by electronic means; and(c)any online material made available on a Singapore website;
to acquire and maintain a comprehensive collection of library materials relating to Singapore and its people;
to establish standards for the training of library personnel in Singapore;
to provide advisory and consultancy services concerning libraries and library information services;
to compile and maintain a national union catalogue and a national bibliography; (h)to advise the Government on national needs and policies in respect of matters relating to publicly funded libraries and library information services in Singapore;
publicly funded libraries
“publicly funded libraries” means all libraries owned by the Government or any statutory body and such other libraries which are, directly or indirectly, funded by the Government (whether fully or partially) as the Board may determine;
to provide a permanent repository of records of national or historical significance and to facilitate access to those records;
to conduct records management programmes for the Government; and
to record, preserve and disseminate the history of Singapore through oral history methodology or other means.