NLB Singapore

Is there more to kaya than meets the eye? In this episode, food historian and author Khir Johari explores serikaya, egg-based coconut confections with Malay roots, and shows how they appear in kueh puteri selat, serikaya tulang, and agar-agar serikaya. "From Book to Cook" is a cooking show on Singapore's food history. Join librarian Paddy Ong and guest cooks as they explore Singapore's history and food heritage while recreating dishes that have either shaped Singapore's food scene, or have become less common over time. Watch here ➡️ https://youtu.be/XEIfp6IUpEQ

🏃‍♀️ Why does it seem so hard to make new friends as an adult? The pressure to “put yourself out there” can make interactions feel higher-stakes than they need to be. From run clubs to choirs and book clubs, interest groups give people something to do, and room for connections to form naturally. We unpack why these social clubs are becoming the new after-work hangout. ➡️ Read here: https://medium.com/publiclibrarysg/new-after-work-hang-why-more-are-joining-interest-groups-and-social-clubs-3d8467b3a3c2

The Sep holidays are almost here! 🚀 Head down to the Sci-Fi Pop-Up Library for a reading adventure. With a galaxy of physical books and exhibits on space opera, dystopian worlds, and beyond, there's plenty to discover for readers of all ages. Explore our Singapore sci-fi collections - physical and digital! So much to check out – where will you start? 📚🌌 👉 Plan your visit: https://go.gov.sg/scifilibrary-sepholiday-tg 🗓️ Open daily from 10 am – 10 pm daily (including public holidays) 📍Level 4, Parkway Parade, #04-K3

Need a comfortable space to focus? 🎒💻 Whether you're catching up on a good read, researching a topic, exploring new resources or working on a project, the library is a space to learn, discover and focus. 🪑 Reserve your seat with the NLB Mobile app and settle into a comfortable space for your next library visit. 👉 Download the NLB Mobile app today at go.gov.sg/nlbmobileapp-seatbooking-tg

Join us as we explore the origins of Book Bugs, reading programme designed to get children reading as they play! Learn from the original artist how the most iconic bugs were created and find out the many ways the game has evolved over the years. Watch here ➡️ https://youtu.be/fTND_Ljn96k

🐟 Were they really swordfish or garfish? Uncover the stories behind some of Singapore's best-known folklore, from Bukit Merah to Pulau Brani, and explore fascinating versions of these tales you may not have heard before. 📚 👉🏻 Register now via go.gov.sg/au29aug-tg 🗓 Sat, 29 Aug 2026 🕖 7 pm – 8 pm 📍 Oldham Theatre, Level 3, National Archives of Singapore The programme is organised in conjunction with All Things Singapore 2026.

Payasam is a rich, creamy dessert often served as part of a Malayalee meal. It is typically made with rice, lentils or fruits simmered in coconut milk and sweetened with jaggery. In this episode, former restaurateur and author Dhershini Winodan walks us through how to create a variation made with ripe jackfruit, and its place in Malayalee festivals and family traditions. "From Book to Cook" is a cooking show on Singapore's food history. Join librarian Paddy Ong and guest cooks as they explore Singapore's history and food heritage while recreating dishes that have either shaped Singapore's food scene, or have become less common over time. Watch here ➡️ https://youtu.be/LXbOJEhD3hQ

🎭🎲 Uncover mysteries hidden in the stacks at All Things Singapore (AT SG) 2026! 🎲 Whispers behind the Stacks: Tabletop RPG Step into the role of an archivist uncovering a rediscovered collection of forgotten 1950s stories. 📖 The Borrowed Storybook: Tabletop RPG Live Play Watch this live tabletop RPG performance as the team unravels a chain of magical mishaps stretching across Singapore to recover the missing book. Check out the full list of programmes and timings at go.gov.sg/atsg2026 📅 21 Aug – 5 Sep 2026 📍 National Library Building & National Archives of Singapore

🐒 What do our encounters with monkeys reveal about how Singapore has changed over time? From the wildlife traders of the 19th century to the macaques that roam our nature reserves today, monkeys have lived alongside Singaporeans in ways that are by turns playful, fraught, and surprising. Join us as we uncover the layered history of our closest animal neighbours. 🌿 👉🏻 Register now via go.gov.sg/alw28aug-tg 🗓 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 🕖 7 pm – 8 pm 📍 LAUNCH Programme Room, Level 7, National Library Building

Dive into a night of games, mystery and nightlife at All Things Singapore (AT SG) 2026! 🐵 Lovebug by ART-ZOO An outdoor inflatable experience that reimagines the long tradition of local myths shaped by animals and native plants! 🗾 Islands of Memory and Myth A curated display where local myths on Singapore's offshore islands meet authentic archival records. Some programmes require registration. Check out the full list of programmes and timings at go.gov.sg/atsg2026 📅 21 Aug – 5 Sep 2026 📍 National Library Building & National Archives of Singapore

🫨 Notice your attention slipping every time you try to sit still and focus on just one thing? That's not a willpower problem, it's your brain being rewired from constant scrolling. Here's how small tweaks in your day can help you build it back. ➡️ Read here: https://medium.com/publiclibrarysg/reading-slow-why-going-offline-is-a-power-move-in-a-fast-scroll-world-c27df5f8cdc7

Growing up, librarian Afiqah was often told not to lie on her stomach or sharpen both ends of her pencil for fear of dire consequences. Curious about these warnings, she explores the stories behind these taboos and discovers the care, tradition and practical advice that have gone into them. ➡️ Read here: https://medium.com/the-national-library-blog/how-putting-your-legs-up-could-kill-your-mother-the-logic-behind-malay-pantang-larang-e489b8ceee92

⚽️ How has watching live football in Singapore changed over the years? Join exhibitions curator Nikki as she journeys through the match days of the 1960s and 70s and reflects on how we watch the beautiful game today. ➡️ Read here: https://medium.com/the-national-library-blog/how-i-accidentally-became-a-football-fan-f6f51e3f51a6

Episode 76 of The Library Report is out! Join us as we explore the origins of Book Bugs, reading programme designed to get children reading as they play! Learn from the original artist how the most iconic bugs were created and find out the many ways the game has evolved over the years. Haven't subscribed to our NLB YouTube channel yet? Watch now: https://youtu.be/fTND_Ljn96k Subscribe to NLBsg YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@nlbsg?sub_confirmation=1

🌙 All Things Singapore (AT SG) is back! This year, discover the myths, legends and hidden stories woven into Singapore's past, as they come alive after dark. ✨ Here's what to look forward to: 🎭 Captivating performances and live storytelling that reimagine local legends 🌿 Immersive installations that bring Singapore's myths and folklore to life 🧩 An adventure trail and interactive programmes that uncover forgotten tales 🎨Embark on a journey through Singapore's stories — a unique blend of arts, history and creativity! Check out the programmes at go.gov.sg/atsg2026! ✨ All Things Singapore (AT SG) 2026 ✨ 📅 21 Aug – 5 Sep 2026 📍 National Library Building & National Archives of Singapore

Once a staple at “karipap” stalls, curry puffs were made using animal fat for a rich flavour and superior flakiness—a technique that has largely disappeared with the rise of margarine. Cookbook author Christopher Tan explores their history while recreating them with lamb fat, in baked and deep-fried versions. "From Book to Cook" is a cooking show on Singapore's food history. Join librarian Paddy Ong and guest cooks as they explore Singapore's history and food heritage while recreating dishes that have either shaped Singapore's food scene, or have become less common over time. Watch here ➡️https://youtu.be/Op3pPFcNUpE

🧑‍🍳 🍲 How do you recreate an old recipe that was never fully documented? In this episode of The Library Report, pastry chef, author, and co-founder of the Museum of Food, Yeo Min shares what it takes to preserve traditional Chinese pastries, from searching historical cookbooks and records at the National Library to conducting oral interviews with seniors and experimenting in the kitchen with mentor Chef Pang. ➡️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/NFSYZt6hqjc

Originally written as a daily pledge for students in newly independent Singapore, the National Pledge has since become familiar to generations of Singaporeans, recited in schools, at national events and on significant occasions. Look back on the origins and evolution of our National Pledge through archival recordings and images in this curated page by the #NationalArchivesSG: https://go.gov.sg/pledge60-tg #NationalPledge

1966 vs today. Take a closer look at Singapore’s first National Day postage stamp from 1966 from the #NationalLibrarySG's collection. The classic design depicts new housing, bustling ports and a shared vision for the future. Decades later, that vision lives on in every corner of our island. Happy 61st birthday, Singapore!

✍️ Calling all aspiring writers— spend an evening writing with award-winning poet Laura Jane Lee. Everyday objects carry extraordinary stories—if you know how to look for them. Join Laura Jane Lee for an intimate writing workshop where you'll explore themes of memory, identity, and Singaporean girlhood through reflection and storytelling. Drawing inspiration from stories and objects found in the National Library's collections, come experiment with new ways of writing, uncover fresh perspectives, and connect with fellow youths through shared creativity. 👉🏻 Register now: https://go.gov.sg/ollc-girlhood-tele 📅 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 ⏳ 7 pm – 9 pm 📍 Launch Programme Room, Level 7, National Library Building This programme is open to youths.