Have you ever heard of a free information search service accessible from the comfort of your armchair? Yes! For all your information needs, contact the Reference Point, the remote information service of the National Reference Library of Singapore, via telephone, fax, e-mail, internet, or the traditional snail mail.

The Reference Point, National Library Board, Singapore
The Reference Point is a remote information service dedicated to meeting your information needs. Each enquiry is handled by a trained reference librarian who will search on-line databases (eg. FT Asia, Proquest, and Tiara), the world wide web, and our extensive reference collection to get you the information you need, wherever you are. 

Some History

The Reference Point is completely dedicated to handling remote information requests. This is unlike the traditional telephone enquiry service, which were manned by librarians at the reference counter but who were frequently interrupted by enquiries from walk-in library users.

Since its launch in April 1996, the Reference Point has handled over 20,000 enquiries, with an average of about 100 a day and over 2000 enquiries a month at present. Majority of the enquiries come via the telephone. Other more popular modes are the e-mail and the NLB website.

Sample profiles of enquiries received

Enquiries range from the simple to the sublime: from library opening hours to the psychological aspects of guinea pig training. Below are several examples of questions we have received.

What lunar date & what day does 22.5.52 fall on ?

 

The lunar date is 29 of the 4th lunar month, Thursday. 1952 is the year of the dragon (Chinese-English calendar, 1873- 1972).

 

When were street lamps first lighted by gas in Singapore ? When was electricity first introduced to light the streets in Singapore ?

 

Gas lamps were first used to light the streets on May 24, 1864. The electric lighting of the town was introduced on March 6, 1906 (Singapore facts and pictures 1997, Pg 194).

 

Request for an article in the Sunday Times around November or December 1997 concerning the Telok Ayer Food Centre, Singapore. Enquirer wanted to know the name of a food stall and where it was moving to.

 

The article appeared in the 23/11/97 newspaper "New homes for old stalls" The name of the hawker was Mr Loi Boon Han and his Ya Kun Coffee stall would move to the new Far East Square corner of Amoy and Upper Cross Streets in June when the building would be completed (FT Asia database).

 

Which were the 19 firms that recently exhibited interest in the 26% equity interest sold by the Orissa Power Generation Corporation in India ?

 

Information found in Business Standard, 4 Dec 97 (http://www.businessstandard.com/97dec04/economy4.htm) 

Our phone lines are on from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. You can leave a voice mail during non-working hours.

We acknowledge all enquiries within 24 working hours.

Tel	+65-332-3255
Fax	+65-332-3248
E-mail	ref@nlb.gov.sg
WWW	http://www.lib.gov.sg/services/
Snail mail	The Reference Point  National Reference Library  91 Stamford Road  Singapore 178896

Wong Jock Onn, Corporate Communications Executive 
Michele Wee, National Reference Library 
National Library Board