Shalom's NMT Blog

National Archives Singapore January 4, 2010

The National Archives of Singapore (NAS) was set up by an act of parliament in 1968. The job of NAS is to house the collective memory of Singapore. These memories will help the current and future generations of Singaporeans understand the different cultures, and how we became an independant nation.

The NAS keeps government records, historical maps, photography and even audio and video media of the past. They are responsible for collecting, managing and preserving these artifacts, of which some dates back to the early 1900s.

There are many services provided by  NAS.

1. Records Management and Preservation – Keeping of government and other important records for future references and use.
2. Provide access of the information to the public – There is a library opened to the public, where people are able to visit and do their reserch.
3. Sharing knowledge through trainings – They conduct trainings to companies, giving seminars on using conserved information. Also, they conduct tours through NAS, showing people the fundimentals of archival conservation.
4. Archives Conservation Services – Professionals of paper and audio visual conservation, it is opened to the public. With a sum of money, the NAS will be able to help preserve personal archives too.

The NAS uses different kinds of media to help promote information conservation and the importance of it to the public. One example of a Web 2.0 technology is their internet exhibition website, located at http://www.a2o.com.sg/a2o/public/html/online_exhibit/index.jsp. The public is able to access these websites at home to learn more about different historical happenings. Also, these online exhibitions are an interactive version of their roadshows and school exhibitions.

The NAS also has the a2o gateway which keeps the subscribers informed about recent activity of NAS, and their exhibitions. There are newsletters, and even online research information avaliable on a2o. This will greatly facilitate people who do constant research at the archive.