What if you could visit a “book doctor”, share your interests and get an instant book recommendation? Nathaniel Chew took on the role of prescribing books to attendees of the Singapore Writers Festival last November.
Outside of such events, he puts on many hats as a librarian at the National Library Board’s (NLB) national library division. From managing the library’s Singapore and South-east Asia collections through curation and research, to implementing outreach activities, conducting guided tours and facilitating workshops, NLB scholar Nathaniel is exposed to a wide variety of roles that gets him excited about work each day.
Libraries have undergone a remarkable transformation, shifting from mere repositories of books to vibrant community centres and digital knowledge hubs. Similarly, the role of librarians has expanded over the years and goes beyond the four walls of the library.
“Before I joined NLB, I didn’t realise how much a librarian actually does,” he says. “It’s a very, very exciting time to be working in the library sector right now.
“After the Covid-19 pandemic, our libraries have been looking for new ways to meet the needs of the public by transforming our user experiences. Beyond the physical spaces, we have also changed the ways we tell stories – from more immersive storytelling videos to podcasts and exhibitions as well. Even the way we engage people digitally is changing.”
In today’s digital age, the challenge has shifted from information scarcity to information overload. Librarians like Nathaniel are playing a crucial part in helping Singaporeans navigate and make sense of the vast information available.
He is involved in Catalyst, a community engagement programme that is jointly organised by NLB and the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Open to members of the public, Catalyst helps Singaporeans learn more about important issues such as the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and critical national issues pertaining to the healthcare, education and retail sectors. This is done through panel discussions and collaborations with industry experts to brainstorm solutions for these emerging challenges.
By simplifying complex topics and fostering meaningful conversations, Catalyst enables Singaporeans to understand how these issues affect their daily lives. It also provides them with the knowledge and tools to navigate a rapidly evolving world, empowering individuals and communities to thrive.
“Librarians connect people to information so they can glean new knowledge and be in touch with what is happening around the world.”
– Nathaniel Chew, recipient of the NLB Undergraduate Scholarship
In January this year, Nathaniel took on a role he had not envisioned before joining the library: serving as a workshop facilitator at Catalyst.
He also regularly conducts tours at the refreshed National Library Donors’ Gallery, telling stories of the histories of various communities in Singapore and introducing the National Library’s Singapore and South-east Asia collections. These include documents on the history of communities in Singapore, such as early Singapore Citizenship registration certificates, social research on travelling night markets and materials related to resettlement in HDB flats.
“I’ve come to find these opportunities to engage directly with the public uniquely rewarding. Real-time interactions with audiences offer me a glimpse into different communities and I always learn something new from the conversations that arise,” says the NLB scholar.
He also sees the library as a space for collaboration and community building.
“Librarians connect people to information so they can glean new knowledge and be in touch with what is happening around the world. Now, there is a need to connect differently by engaging the public and connecting people to each other as well,” he says.
While exploring scholarship options after he completed the International Baccalaureate at junior college, he found NLB’s core emphasis on “sparking imagination and possibility” inspiring and was drawn to its promise of “helping people learn, create and connect to something greater than themselves”.
Now in his sixth year at NLB, he has rotated across different departments and worked on a wide variety of projects. His first role was as an associate librarian at the public libraries division working on Early Read services for parents and young children. Then, he joined the strategy division as a manager (planning and foresight) where he helped develop LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025), a road map to transform Singapore’s libraries and archives to meet the public’s evolving reading and learning needs.
He is also currently appointed to the project team tasked with developing the #Heart&Soul: Connected by Smart Nation showcase, which explores how digital transformation is impacting and improving the lives of Singaporeans.
“My scholarship and work with NLB have equipped me with tools for public engagement and innovation, which have enabled me to make an impact in making learning accessible for everyone. I am excited to play a part in creating libraries of the future,” he says.
