Converse with NLB’s Generative AI-Powered ChatBook to Discover More About S. Rajaratnam, one of Singapore’s Founding Fathers

The ChatBook Featuring S. Rajaratnam, NLB’s first ChatBook prototype to be made publicly available, offers all a new interactive experience to explore Singapore Stories

From 23 July till 21 Oct 2024, visitors to the National Library (NL) Building can learn more about the life and contributions of one of Singapore’s founding fathers, with the National Library Board’s (NLB) latest tech prototype, the ChatBook Featuring S. Rajaratnam. 

The new Generative AI-powered ChatBook offers a unique multi-modal experience to learn about Mr Rajaratnam and our shared history through the rich resources from the National Archives of Singapore (NAS), NLB’s collections and the authorised biography written by Ms Irene Ng. At the two large ChatBooks designed to resemble open copies of the authorised biography on Mr Rajaratnam, and taking centrestage within the showcase area replicating a study to reflect Mr Rajaratnam’s interest in reading and writing, visitors can:

a. Pose their questions to the ChatBook by speaking into a microphone or typing on a typewriter at the writing desk in front of both ChatBooks; and
b. Learn more through the Generative AI-powered responses and resources displayed on the two large screens at each ChatBook that draw on:
   i. Content from oral history interviews, speeches and photographs of Mr Rajaratnam from NAS’s collections;
   ii. Authorised biography on Mr Rajaratnam by Ms Ng; and
   iii. Singapore Stories in NLB’s collections such as 10 Years that Shaped a Nation and Infopedia articles.

At the ChatBook showcase, visitors can also:
a. Discover more about Mr Rajaratnam’s contributions through the write-ups accompanying the replicas of archival materials at the bookshelves; 
b. Check out the bite-sized information at the book displays, while exploring online resources and eBooks on Mr Rajaratnam that can be borrowed via the NLB Mobile app or downloaded from the NLB website; and
c. Browse a selection of physical books such as biographies on Mr Rajaratnam.

Please see the Annex for more details on the ChatBook and showcase.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attended the opening of the ChatBook showcase today, in conjunction with the launch of The Lion’s Roar: The Authorised Biography of S. Rajaratnam, Volume Two by Ms Ng, at The Pod at the NL Building. 

NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “The Generative AI-powered ChatBook Featuring S. Rajaratnam is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to explore innovative ways of tapping on technologies to engage our patrons. We want to also connect them to the rich content from our collections, in line with our LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) Singapore Storytellers role. We will continue to collaborate with partners and the communities to reshape the future of learning and discovery.”

The first ChatBook prototype to be made publicly available, the ChatBook Featuring S. Rajaratnam builds on the positive response and feedback from the testing of the first prototype, Seven Hundred Years: A History of Singapore, from December 2023 to May 2024 by over 700 users comprising students, academics, researchers, members of the public, and international library partners. Users had enjoyed the accessibility and convenience of conversing with a book, and discovering more about Singapore history, including through NLB’s online resources. Based on this and the feedback to have more physical and digital content beyond text, the latest ChatBook has been enhanced to offer a more interactive, multi-format learning and discovery experience. Both ChatBooks were developed with the support of Amazon Web Services (AWS).

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About National Library Board

The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections on Singapore and the region.

NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels. 

For media enquiries, please contact:

Zoey Tan
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +65 9073 6422
E-mail: ztan@webershandwick.com

Hoe I Yune
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +65 9324 2061
E-mail: IHoe@webershandwick.com

Annex 
Highlights of the ChatBook Featuring S. Rajaratnam