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Information

This website is in the midst of an information transfer, and some links may not work as intended. If assistance is required, please email us at ref@nlb.gov.sg (opens in new tab)

National Library Reference Guides

About the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library

The premier resource for works on or about Singapore and the region for local and overseas researchers and academics.

Last updated 21 April 2026

The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library (LKCRL) (opens in new tab), named after Dr Lee Kong Chian, in honour of the Lee Foundation's S$60 million donation, aims to be the premier resource for works on or about Singapore and the region for local and overseas researchers and academics.

LKCRL Collection Directory

  • Level 7: Business, Social Sciences and Science & Technology Collection.
    Latest issues of Companies and Institutions Annual Reports, and Singapore Standards can also be found here.

  • Level 8: Arts and Humanities Collection.
    The collection of items requested from the Repository Used and PublicationSG book collections are to be made at the Information Counter at this level.

  • Level 9: Chinese, Malay & Tamil collection on all subject areas.

  • Level 11: Singapore and Southeast Asia in English
    (except for the Arts and Literature collection which is located at Level 8)

Services

The Library provides several reference services, including an reference enquiry email service, microfilm, photocopying, and more. For a full list, you may refer to our available services here (opens in new tab). These are some of our services in detail:

  • Reference Point email enquiry: Email us at ref@nlb.gov.sg (opens in new tab) if you have a reference question you need assistance with. Our librarians will assist you to find some resources for your research.

  • Reproduction of library materials: Most of the Library's collection items are available for reference only. However, General Reference collections are available for loan via our RefToGo (opens in new tab) service. Photography is allowed, subject to agreement to comply with copyright laws.1

  • Microfilm services: The Library holds microfilm surrogate copies of our local newspapers, rare books, and other publications. These can be referred to on-site at the Library at Level 11. Microfilm printing services are also available.2

  • Digital Reproduction Service (opens in new tab): High-resolution digital copies from the National Library's collections can be provided to users such as researchers and publishers.3 This is applicable to users based overseas as well.

1 Copying in any format is subject to the Copyright Act (Cap 63, as revised). More details on Self-Service Photography can be found here (opens in new tab). Submit your request via this link (opens in new tab) before proceeding to photograph the materials.

2 Printing is chargeable per page. Actual costs can be referred to on-site.

3The Digital Reproduction Service (opens in new tab) is a chargeable service dependent on the purpose of use. Other terms and conditions apply.