Data on Library Books Removed from Public Borrowing List

Debated in Parliament on 6 Feb 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the last five years, the National Library Board (NLB) has removed one book from public borrowing due to its violent content, while other books have been reclassified to different age-appropriate sections or kept in their original collections after review.
The NLB ensures collections are appropriate for different age groups and uses a Parental Guidance label in its catalogue and during check-out to alert readers to potentially sensitive content in children's titles.
When the public provides feedback on titles, the NLB reviews them with its independent Library Consultative Panel, which considers community perspectives and content guidelines from the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Since 2018, the NLB has received 42 instances of public feedback, resulting in one title being withdrawn, 17 children's titles moved to higher age-group sections, one adult title reclassified to the reference section, and 23 titles assessed as suitable to remain.
The NLB adds an average of 86,000 new titles annually to keep collections updated and relevant, and its processes for removing titles consider factors such as social norms, content guidelines, and public feedback.

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Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) in the last five years, how many library books have been removed from public borrowing by the National Library Board (NLB); (b) what are the reasons for such removal and whether other measures such as labels for age appropriateness or advisory can be considered; and (c) what are the typical processes and relevant factors considered by NLB before deciding to remove such titles or publications from its repository.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the last five years, the National Library Board (NLB) has removed one book from public borrowing due to its violent content, while other books have been reclassified to different age-appropriate sections or kept in their original collections after review.
The NLB ensures collections are appropriate for different age groups and uses a Parental Guidance label in its catalogue and during check-out to alert readers to potentially sensitive content in children's titles.
When the public provides feedback on titles, the NLB reviews them with its independent Library Consultative Panel, which considers community perspectives and content guidelines from the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Since 2018, the NLB has received 42 instances of public feedback, resulting in one title being withdrawn, 17 children's titles moved to higher age-group sections, one adult title reclassified to the reference section, and 23 titles assessed as suitable to remain.
The NLB adds an average of 86,000 new titles annually to keep collections updated and relevant, and its processes for removing titles consider factors such as social norms, content guidelines, and public feedback.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Data on Library Books Removed from Public Borrowing List

Debated in Parliament on 6 Feb 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the last five years, the National Library Board (NLB) has removed one book from public borrowing due to its violent content, while other books have been reclassified to different age-appropriate sections or kept in their original collections after review.
The NLB ensures collections are appropriate for different age groups and uses a Parental Guidance label in its catalogue and during check-out to alert readers to potentially sensitive content in children's titles.
When the public provides feedback on titles, the NLB reviews them with its independent Library Consultative Panel, which considers community perspectives and content guidelines from the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Since 2018, the NLB has received 42 instances of public feedback, resulting in one title being withdrawn, 17 children's titles moved to higher age-group sections, one adult title reclassified to the reference section, and 23 titles assessed as suitable to remain.
The NLB adds an average of 86,000 new titles annually to keep collections updated and relevant, and its processes for removing titles consider factors such as social norms, content guidelines, and public feedback.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the last five years, the National Library Board (NLB) has removed one book from public borrowing due to its violent content, while other books have been reclassified to different age-appropriate sections or kept in their original collections after review.
The NLB ensures collections are appropriate for different age groups and uses a Parental Guidance label in its catalogue and during check-out to alert readers to potentially sensitive content in children's titles.
When the public provides feedback on titles, the NLB reviews them with its independent Library Consultative Panel, which considers community perspectives and content guidelines from the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Since 2018, the NLB has received 42 instances of public feedback, resulting in one title being withdrawn, 17 children's titles moved to higher age-group sections, one adult title reclassified to the reference section, and 23 titles assessed as suitable to remain.
The NLB adds an average of 86,000 new titles annually to keep collections updated and relevant, and its processes for removing titles consider factors such as social norms, content guidelines, and public feedback.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Mrs Josephine Teo

The National Library Board (NLB) strives to ensure that its collections are appropriate for different age groups, in line with prevailing social and cultural norms. Its collection policy also takes reference from content guidelines provided by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). For children’s titles reviewed and assigned “Parental Guidance Recommended” Advisory, a Parental Guidance label will be shown in the library’s catalogue records and during check-out at book borrowing stations, to alert readers to potentially sensitive matter.

NLB brings in an average of 86,000 new titles for the public libraries each year, to ensure that library collections remain updated and relevant for Singaporeans of all ages. When NLB receives public feedback on certain titles, it has processes in place to review the books concerned. This includes tapping on its Library Consultative Panel (LCP), an independent citizen-based committee from a wide cross section of society. Established in 2015, the panel provides diverse community perspectives and recommendations to NLB on the books that the public have highlighted.

Since 2018, the NLB has received 42 instances of feedback from members of the public. One title was withdrawn, after consultation with the Library Consultative Panel, due to its violent storyline and illustrations. Seventeen children’s titles were moved to sections for higher age groups, one adult title was reclassified and moved to the reference section, while 23 titles, including books for children, young adults, and adults, were assessed to be suitable to remain in their original collections.

Data on Library Books Removed from Public Borrowing List

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Summary

Questions Identified

Data on Library Books Removed from Public Borrowing List

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Summary

Questions Identified

Mrs Josephine Teo