26 Aug 2015 [Events]
You can now easily access archives of 50 years of local Tamil literature - ranging from published novels to poems to short stories - in public libraries and on NLB's BooksSGportal!
In commemoration of SG50, a collection of 350 Tamil literary works of Singapore from 1965 to 2015 has been digitised as the Indian community’s gift to the nation. This unprecedented ground-up initiative led by the Tamil Digital Heritage Group in partnership with the National Library Board (NLB) has come to fruition following the launch of this project in 2013. This effort is also supported by the National Heritage Board (NHB), the National Arts Council (NAC), the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS), as well as the Tamil writers.
On 22 August 2015, the Tamil Digital Heritage Collection was launched at the National Library Building, and the occasion was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister S Iswaran. The 600 seat Drama Centre was filled to the brim with distinguished members of the Tamil literary community.
The launch of the Collection was the culmination of many months of work, led by the indefatiguable Mr Arun Mahiznan. Many Tamil authors contributed their works to the collection for posterity and for the benefit of Tamil language students and readers.
Download the Media Release here.
View photos here.
More information on the Tamil Digital Heritage Collection can also be found here.
DPM Tharman launched the Collection by inserting the quill (modified with a USB pen-drive) into the USB port on the podium.
There were also several performances of music, dance, acting, and book readings, which added to the festivities.
Mr R Ramachandran, Executive Director of NBDCS, with Ms Elaine Ng, Chief Executive Officer, National Library Board.
On 11 July 2015, a Mandarin storytelling and illustration session by Low Joo Hong was held at Clementi Public Library, where children aged 5-12 got the chance to design their own picture book characters.
The workshop was organised by the Promote Mandarin Council and supported by the National Book Development Council of Singapore and NLB Public Libraries. Don't miss the next Mandarin session on 15 August!
For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/1GgQWIv.
Credit for World-class libraries goes to Mr Lee
Published on May 1, 2015 1:15 AM
TO ME, as part of the pioneer generation, the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew is indeed very sad.
I grew up with his towering presence and inspiring eloquence.
As a librarian and a book person, I find that without Mr Lee's support and vision, libraries in Singapore would not have developed this far - into becoming among the best in the world.
He opened the Queenstown Library in 1970; it was the first branch library in Singapore and was our initial attempt, under Mr Lee's direction, to reach out to the community. I was at the opening ceremony as a young library officer. I still remember vividly his commanding stature and energy as he greeted us and shook our hands.
Mr Lee believed in the importance of libraries. From the early days, he had a close relationship with Mrs Hedwig Anuar, the then director of the library.
Mr Lee would call her for any information and for the loan of books he needed for reference.
He donated some of his books as well. His children, too, as students, particularly Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, patronised the former National Library in Stamford Road.
Mr Lee's personal interest and belief in the value of reading have, without doubt, been instrumental in promoting the stature of libraries and in nurturing the culture of reading in Singapore.
The international standards and professionalism demonstrated in our libraries are yet another testimony to how Mr Lee walked the talk in his leadership. The current library scene, like many other aspects of Singapore, is credited to his foresight and vision.
R. Ramachandran
Executive Director
National Book Development Council of Singapore
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/credit-world-class-libraries-goes-mr-lee-20150501
