{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,7]],"date-time":"2026-01-07T08:11:22Z","timestamp":1767773482462,"version":"3.41.2"},"reference-count":84,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2014,7,8]],"date-time":"2014-07-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1404777600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2014,7,8]]},"abstract":"\n Purpose<\/jats:title>\n \u2013 The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the National Library of Singapore in the life of Singaporeans. <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title>\n \u2013 The paper uses historical research. McMillan and Chavis\u2019 theory of sense of community is adopted as the analytical framework to delineate the role of the National Library of Singapore. <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Findings<\/jats:title>\n \u2013 The paper finds that the National Library of Singapore plays an important role in fostering a sense of community among Singaporeans. The transformation of the library to a truly public institution in 1950s effectively enlarged its boundaries. Upon joining the community of the library, local Singaporeans underwent a bidirectional process of influencing and being influenced. The library made strenuous efforts to meet the needs of Singaporeans in myriad ways, resulting in reinforcement of the sense of community among Singaporeans. A shared emotional connection in the community was engendered as a result of the frequent contact and high-quality interaction. <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Originality\/value<\/jats:title>\n \u2013 While being influenced by various social and cultural frameworks under which it operates, the library actively takes part in and influences the society. The study of the library in the life of the users via the lens of sense of community provides a perspective to further understand the potential and power of libraries and how libraries can positively contribute to the society at large.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/jd-11-2012-0148","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2014,7,10]],"date-time":"2014-07-10T21:46:56Z","timestamp":1405028816000},"page":"658-675","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["The National Library of Singapore: creating a sense of community"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"70","author":[{"given":"Hui","family":"Lin","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Brendan","family":"Luyt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aljunied, S.M.K.\n (2009), Colonialism, Violence and Muslims in Southeast Asia: the Maria Hertogh Controversy and its Aftermath, Routledge, London.","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203876831"},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b2","unstructured":"Anuar, H.\n (1967), Letter to Mr Low Kee Pow, National Archives of Singapore, Ministry of Culture General Files, AR53, May 2."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b3","unstructured":"Bin Idrus, M.H.\n (2004), \u201cMy acting origins\u201d, in \n Lee, P.\n (Ed.), Moments in Time: Memories of the National Library, National Library Board, Singapore, p. -."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b4","unstructured":"Chai, Y.H.\n (2004), \u201cPlace of peace\u201d, in \n Lee, P.\n (Ed.), Moments in Time: Memories of the National Library, National Library Board, Singapore, p. -."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b5","unstructured":"Chasen, F.N.\n (1940), Letter to Library Committee, National Archives of Singapore, MSA 1155, January 11."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b6","unstructured":"Clutterbuck, R.\n (1985), Conflict and Violence in Singapore and Malaysia 1945-1983, Graham Brash Ltd, Singapore."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b7","unstructured":"Collingwood, R.G.\n (1994), The Idea of History, Oxford University Press, Oxford."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b8","unstructured":"Department of Statistics Singapore\n (2012a), \u201cCulture and recreation\u201d, available at: www.singstat.gov.sg\/pubn\/reference\/yos12\/statsT-culture.pdf (accessed August 1, 2012)."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b9","unstructured":"Department of Statistics Singapore\n (2012b), \u201cTime series on population\u201d, available at: www.singstat.gov.sg\/stats\/themes\/people\/hist\/popn.html (accessed October 19, 2012)."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b10","unstructured":"Edwards, N.\n and \n Keys, P.\n (1988), Singapore: A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places, Times Books International, Singapore."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b11","unstructured":"Eliot, J.\n and \n Bickersteth, J.\n (1999), Footprint Singapore Handbook, Footprint Handbooks, Bath."},{"key":"key2020123023385114000_b12","unstructured":"Goh, K.S.\n (1962), Letter to S. 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