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1.
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How do I recommend a particular title or collection to NLB?
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You can use the 'Recommend A Title' link in the Catalogue results page to forward us your recommendation.
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2.
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Why are books in the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library classified as reference titles?
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The National Library Board Singapore (NLB) purchases reference books with the intention to encourage library users to refer to these titles for research or consultation.
The purpose of classifying a book as a reference title is to ensure that core materials are always available for our users to use when everything else on the topic/subject has been loaned out. Our librarians can also refer to the reference copy for walk-in and telephone enquiries from members of the public.
Books may also be labelled as reference titles if the cost of the book is high, the materials are from multi-volume sets (for example, encyclopaedias), the title is very specialised, the book has accompanying materials like slides, or if the book has been out-of-print or with limited circulation. NLB will try to buy duplicate copies of the reference titles where possible for the convenience of our library users.
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3.
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Can we borrow a reference book out of the library for a few hours?
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Reference books by their nature are for reference within the library only. They are usually expensive and the National Library Board Singapore usually purchases one copy, or one set in the case of multi-part items. Therefore, they should be available at all times in the libraries to serve all readers.
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4.
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What is RCLOS? How do I access them? What are your selection criteria for RCLOS?
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RCLOS
items are closed access items and include old heritage materials published before 1970. It also includes out-of-print titles published in Singapore.
Access is via microfilms for some titles or one can also request at the library information counter for a specific title. A patron can request for 4 titles at a time. Staff would bring the title(s) to the reader. Access to these items is only at Level 11 of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and at certain Public Libraries.
For researchers who need to access more titles, they have to write in to the Deputy Director of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library.
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5.
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Why can't I view the rare books on level 13 of the National Library Building?
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Rare books form a part of our literary heritage and are kept under climatically-controlled conditions for preservation purposes. Public access to these materials is via microfilm copies or digitised images of selected rare titles at Singapore Pages.
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6.
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Why can't I borrow Audio-Visual (AV) materials from the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library?
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These cannot be borrowed due to strict copyright regulations. As copyrighted reference materials with viewing restrictions, all AV items in the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library can only be viewed within the library's premises.
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7.
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What are RUR books? How do I loan RUR books?
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The Repository Used Reference (RUR) book collection contains old editions and the less popularly used titles from our collections. These are old materials which are still valuable for research and are thus for reference only.
RUR books are not for loan but are available for consultation at the following libraries:
* Lee Kong Chian Reference Library
* Jurong Regional Library
* Tampines Regional Library
* Woodlands Regional Library
Library patrons who wish to consult RUR books can approach the staff at the counter to make a reservation. Reservation for an RUR book currently cannot be done online. However, we are exploring other ways of allowing the reservation to be made more conveniently. Please note that there is a fee of $1.55 charged for each reservation placed.
Once the requested book has arrived at the selected library, patrons will be notified by post and may use the book at the library for a period of three weeks. Our libraries have photocopying services (including colour photocopying) to support patrons' reference work.
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8.
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How do I gain access to the microfilms in your collection?
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The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library provides microfilms and microfiches for reference at the Singapore & Southeast Asian Collections on Level 11 of the National Library Building.
Microfilms are arranged for public access by microfilm number (e.g. NL0023) or barcode number ('A' series: e.g. A00000234G) and DDC or MFC number for microfiche.
All newspapers on microfilms published on year 2000 and after are shelved by title and date. You can check on the Newspapers on Microfilm site for the microfilm number of the newspapers/journals/books/manuscripts.
You will need to retrieve the required microfilm from the microfilm cabinets personally, place it in the basket provided and bring it to the Information Counter. The staff on duty will then retrieve and issue the microfiche from the locked cabinets.
All requests are to be written on the ‘Application to Consult Microfilm’ form and submitted to the librarian at the Information Counter.
Please note the following rules governing the use of the microfilm collection:
1. A maximum number of 8 microfilms or one sheet/title of microfiche is allowed at any one time.
2. During peak periods, a customer is allowed to use the microfilm/microfiche station for only an hour.
3. All microfilm/microfiche are to be returned to the counter staff after use.
4. If plain paper printing from the microfilm is required, users need to note down the microfilm number, date and page number of the articles and bring the microfilm to the Photocopy Room for printing.
5. Users will have to pay for the items if they are damaged while in his/her custody.
6. Customers who want to obtain a reproduction (photographic print) of a microfilm will need to fill up a request form obtainable from the library counter staff.
7. Application for microfilm/microfiche items will be closed half an hour before the Library closing time.
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9.
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Where can I locate old photographs of Singapore and the National Library?
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10.
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Where can I locate softcopies of newsletters, resource guides, subject bibliographies and pathfinders of the National Library Singapore?
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You can view or download softcopies of our newsletter 'BiblioAsia' by clicking here.
Resource guides, subject bibliographies and pathfinders written by our reference librarians are organised by subjects, and may be browsed under:
* Singapore Pages
* Other Collections
* At any of the above pages, simply select a subject category next to the 'Browse by Subject' row to view a list of relevant resources.
Alternatively, you can do a SEARCH using keywords, such as 'Raffles' or 'Baba'.
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11.
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How do I gain access to the eResources of NLB?
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NLB's collection of electronic resources can be accessed through the Quick Links on the corporate website. At the eResources page, you will be asked to login or register for an account. Please click on eResources for instructions on how to do so.
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12.
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What are the location codes for National Library collections?
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What the codes mean.
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Location
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Language of item
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Level
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R
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English
Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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7
9
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RART
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English
Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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8
9
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RBUS
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English
Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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8
9
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RCO
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Chinese
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9
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RCR
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Chinese
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9
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RDET
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English
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7
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RSING
JRSING
YRSING
RSEA
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English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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11
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RAV
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English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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11
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RDTSH
RDTYS
RAC
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English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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10
(Please approach staff at Information Counter, Level 11, to consult materials
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RCLOS
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English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
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11
(Please approach staff at Information Counter, Level 11, to consult materials
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RRARE
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English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
Microfilm or digital copies access only
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13
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*ATT
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Accompanying items to books (e.g. CD-ROMs)
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If book is on Level 7, accompanying item will also be on Level 7
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