The Treasure Trove - Our Holdings

As of 2006, NAS holds more than 10,855 linear metres of paper files and records, 292,226 microfilm reels, 4.6 million images, 15,690 hours of oral history recordings and 80,000 hours of audio-visual records in our repositories.

Access the treasure trove at the Archives Reference Room or through Access to Archives Online Singapore (a2o), our one-stop portal site on heritage information, http://www.a2o.com.sg. The site allows users to search for information across NHB's various independent databases and view selected photographs, maps and plans, listen to oral history interview samplers and watch snippets of audio-visual recordings, round the clock from the comfort of their own homes.

Access to Unclassified Public Archives

Unclassified public archives may be open for consultation after twenty-five years with agreement from the respective creating/transferring agency. This is in accordance with Section 22(2a) of the National Heritage Board Act (1993) which states that access to public archives is subjected to "any conditions or restrictions imposed by the office, officer or person from whom the public archives or recordings were acquired". As the official custodian of public records, the National Archives of Singapore plays the dual role of protecting the integrity of archival records in our custody through preservation and providing access to public archives subject to privacy and the framework of existing legislations.

Access to classified public archives may be longer than twenty-five years as the classified records will need to be downgraded before public release under the existing conditions.