Image of immersive story experience created with Canva AI.
For the Choose Your Own Adventure module I selected Global Libraries as my focus. While I was inspired by many beautiful libraries around the world, and wondered how long it would take to learn Finnish, I kept returning to one audacious and awe-inspiring effort: Singapore’s Library & Archives Blueprint (LAB25).
Good gracious, holograms anyone?!
It seems that if you can dream it you can find it in a Singapore library thanks to LAB25. There’s stunning and inspirational architecture, augmented reading, immersive time-traveling experiences, and StoryGen. Converse with a book? Yep, you can do that too.
- To create a “Learning Marketplace”: The NLB is evolving its libraries into a national platform for lifelong learning. This involves integrating physical spaces with digital offerings, using data and machine learning to provide personalized learning recommendations, and fostering communities for patrons with similar interests.
- To nurture an “Informed Citizenry”: In an age of information overload and polarization, LAB25 aims to cultivate thoughtful individuals who read widely and reflect deeply. Initiatives like the National Reading Movement and the S.U.R.E. (Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate) program are designed to help the public access diverse perspectives and be more discerning about the information they consume.
- To inspire “Singapore Storytellers”: The blueprint seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s heritage by gathering, preserving, and enabling the discovery of local stories. Through technology like generative AI, the NLB is finding new ways to engage the community and encourage storytelling.
- To be an “Equaliser”: Building on its tradition of making information accessible, the NLB is bridging social and digital divides. The blueprint outlines efforts to equip seniors with digital skills, reach out to children from low-income families through the kidsREAD initiative, and make services more accessible for people with disabilities. The Punggol Regional Library, for example, was designed as a “fully-inclusive library” to pioneer integrated services for persons with disabilities.
I must admit it’s a bit hard for me to do this post. Here in Michigan we just went through a few nail-biting weeks to see if our interlibrary loan system would survive the state budget process. But in Singapore they are moving into the library future at hyperspeed, with a national commitment. It’s a good reminder that as we future librarians look ahead we need to learn from Singapore’s example and dream big.
Here’s another look at what libraries look like when (at least it appears) the whole country is supporting the effort!
References
LAB (Libraries & Archives Blueprint). (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/about-us/About-NLB/LAB-Libraries-and-Archives-Blueprint
Reimagining classic tales and the library experience with Generative AI on AWS. (2024, February 8). SG About Amazon; About Amazon Singapore. https://www.aboutamazon.sg/news/aws/reimagining-classic-tales-and-the-library-experience-with-generative-ai-on-aws
Singapore, N. L. B. [@NLBsg]. (2024, February 1). Discover Singapore at Central Public Library [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcKzaAFGn_I
Teng, S. C. (2025, January 24). Speak to fictional characters, create your own classics at NLB’s new generative AI installations. ST. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/speak-to-fictional-characters-create-your-own-classics-at-nlbs-new-gen-ai-installations
Using Innovative Technologies to Reimagine Libraries and Archives Services in the National Library Board, Singapore. (n.d.). IFLA. Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://www.ifla.org/news/using-innovative-technologies-to-reimagine-libraries-and-archives-services-in-the-national-library-board-singapore/
With Spectacles powered by Snap OS, NLB, Snap and LePub Singapore Explore Immersive AR Experiences with Books and Stories. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/about-us/press-room-and-publications/media-releases/2025/Spectacles
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