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National Library Board Logo

The National Library Board Logo seeks to portray the National Library's corporate identity as a dynamic organisation and reflects the nature of the product and services offered to its customers.

Background
In the early years, the library (Raffles Library), carried the crest of the Colony of Singapore on the cover of its reports. The crest which resembled the British Royal Coat of Arms had mottoes that read "Dieu et mon droit" (French for 'God and my right') and "Homi soit qui mal y pense" (French for 'Shame on him who thinks this evil'). It neither represented the library's function nor aspiration.

Old Logo
When the first National Library Board (an Advisory Board) was formed on 5 December 1960, the National Library carried its own logo. It is said that the logo was designed by one of the librarians. The logo was composed of a book and a superimposed figure of a lion. The book symbolised the collections, or books and reading, while the lion represented Singapore. This logo was seen on library cards and library books.

New Logo
After becoming a statutory board on 1 September 1995, the National Library launched its latest corporate logo to herald the birth of the new National Library Board. BG (NS) George Yeo, Minister for Information And The Arts (MITA), and Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC, launched the new NLB Logo on 3 July 1996. The logo is composed of a stylised book with flipping pages that transits from bold solid pages to pixels. It symbolises the organisation's aspiration of a modern, dynamic and creative library and information service provider.

As described in NLB's inaugural annual report (1995-1997), the meanings of the new logo are as follows:

Stylised book and flipping pages
Represents qualities of dynamism and the power of unlimited learning. It also reflects the qualities that promote reading, learning and a continual search for information.

Transition from bold solid pages to pixel
Traces the evolution from print to electronic media. It represents NLB's focus in current technology and its commitment to be at the cutting edge of technological developments as well as the drive for improvement and expansion of its services.

Three pages
Depicts the library system's three-tier concept: regional, community and neighbourhood libraries and the outreach programme to bring information to the doorstep of every household in Singapore.

Author
Muhamad Ashif Padili



References
National Library. (1955 -1957). Annual report. Singapore: Author.
(Call no: RCLOS 027.55957 RLSAR)

National Library Board. (1995 -1997). Annual Report. Singapore: Author.
(Call no.: RCLOS 027.05957 SNLBAR)

National Library Singapore. Logos of Singapore Organisations. [Resource files: Staff collection]. Singapore: Author.

National Library Board. (2003). NLB Overview. Retrieved January 3, 2003, from 
http://www.nlb.gov.sg/AboutUs/abtUs_overview.asp.


The information in this article is valid as at 2000 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Building Types>>Public Buildings>>Libraries
Logos (Symbols)--Singapore
National libraries-- Singapore
Law and government>>Culture and community>>Public libraries



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