From Document to Data(sets): A New Lens into the National Library Singapore's Digital Collection

In 2022, the National Library Singapore released the metadata of our digital collections in the form of open datasets comprising various formats like digitised books, maps, newspapers, images, sound and video recordings and websites for non-commercial analysis to facilitate new channels of discovery and benefits:

1.       Accelerating organisational change through creativity and innovation to improve existing research services.

2.       Adapting to remain relevant with rapid technological changes and adopting modern tools for content delivery and user engagement.

3.       Leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance access of collections by transcribing, translating, and transliterating digitised materials and datasets.

4.       Offering machine-readable formats to use in new and interactive ways like digital storytelling.

5.       Contributing to digital scholarship to uncover new insights.

6.       Expanding collaborative opportunities with heritage and new cross-sector players to enhance research.

Research opportunities for preserved data are promising and possibilities abound. Our digital collection has inspired collaborations with academic institutions. We participated in projects such as:

1.       Singapore Biographical Database, an initiative between the Department of Chinese Studies National University of Singapore, National Library Singapore, and Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations featuring the relations and networks of prominent Chinese personalities who made significant contributions to Singapore.

2.       Southeast Asia Historical Maps led by Yale-NUS College to develop a database of digitised historic maps of Singapore and Southeast Asia to facilitate knowledge on maritime activity and trade.

3.       Singapore Ecological History Maps led by Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore using a series of geographic information system map layers of Singapore to illustrate land use and change, epidemics, and urban expansion.

As part of our service vision, there are further plans to:

1.         Provide thematic metadata open datasets

2.         Offer open datasets for copyright free content from our digital collection.

3.         Provide other types of datasets like API.

4.         Work with partners to produce new datasets.

From document to data(sets), the National Library Singapore has demonstrated forward thinking in our collections strategy to shift from physical to digital, and from digital to data(sets), leading to new opportunities for access, research, innovation, and preservation for our present and future generations.