ISEAS Library has more than 500,000 items in a multilingual and multiformat collection, having started with only 2,000 volumes of books when it was established in 1968. The collection, with emphasis on current and contemporary information resources in the applied social sciences on South East Asia, is closely tied to the research programmes of the Institute. But, as it is a research library, it also comprises a large archival collection on the region. The collection is categorized as follows: General Collection, Reference, Statistics, Documents, Biography Files, Newspaper Clippings, Special Collection, Current Periodicals, Rare Books, Private Papers, Audio-Visual, Maps, Microforms, Newspapers and Library Office Collection.

General Collection The General Collection comprises books available for loan. Reference The Reference Collection consists of various reference tools, including dictionaries, encyclopaedias, directories, indexes, handbooks and guides. Statistics Statistical works of Southeast Asian countries are major components of this collection and they are frequently consulted. The statistics collection is classified according to countries for easy retrieval.

Documents
The Documents Collection consists of pamphlet-type materials, articles and other items of less than a hundred pages. These are mainly "grey" or "fugitive" literature. 

Biography Files
The Biography Files contain biographical information and speeches by selected notable personalities in the ASEAN and Southeast Asian region in microform up to December 1996. From 1997 onwards, selected newspapers clippings are scanned into the SEAText Database. Short biographical details of selected periodicals are entered into the SEABiog (Southeast Asia Biography database).

Newspaper Clippings Files
Newspaper clippings on politics, foreign policy and international relations of the various Southeast Asian countries from selected newspapers up to December 1995 have been reformatted into microforms. From January 1996 onwards, selected clippings are scanned into the SEAText Database.

Current Periodicals
The Library receives about 2,000 current serial titles, both in English and in the vernacular languages. Current issues of core journal titles are displayed in an alphabetical sequence. Bound issues are catalogued and shelved next to the displayed journals.

Newspapers
The Library subscribes to more than 40 titles of major Southeast Asian and international newspapers both in English and in the vernacular languages. Current issues are displayed in the Newspapers Corner. Back issues of almost all the titles are kept up to a year. Back issues of selected titles are kept permanently in microfilm for archival research. Requests may be made at the Circulation Desk.

Rare Books
	The Library’s collection of rare and antiquarian books on the region that have been acquired based on their high research value. Most have been microfiched or filmed to facilitate user access. The originals are kept in the Rare Books Room, which is under standard temperature and humidity control. Users can only refer to the microforms by making a request at the Circulation Desk.

Maps
The Map Collection which comprises contemporary maps of Southeast Asia is located at the Reference Area. From time to time, an old or antiquarian map which has research value is acquired.

Private Papers

A number of prominent local individuals have deposited some of their private papers at the Institute. Two of the most substantive collections are that of the Malayan independence activist and founder of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), Tun Dato’ Sir Tan Cheng Lock, the first Chief Minister of Singapore Mr David Marshall and the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1970 to 1973 Tun Dr Ismail bin Dato Abdul Rahman . The private papers provide vital historical perspectives. Requests may be made at the Circulation Desk. The other papers deposited at the Library are: S.Q. Wong Papers, Alex Josey Papers, Gerald de Cruz Papers, S. Rajaratnam and K.S. Sandhu Papers.

Tan Cheng Lock David Marshall

Multimedia Collection

The Southeast Asian Cultural Collection (SEACC) multimedia collection mainly on documentation of the region’s ethnic, anthropological and cultural norms comprises a core collection of colour slides, black and white negatives and photographs taken by the late Mrs Dorothy Pelzer (DP). Mrs Pelzer was an American architect, who spent eight years (1962 to 1970) traveling all over Southeast Asia to document the indigenous habitats of Southeast Asians. These constitute the original source materials of the Institute’s then Southeast Asian Cultural Programme (SEACUP).  Click here for access fees.

The Dorothy Pelzer Collection is augmented from time to time by depositions of materials taken on field trips in the region by researchers, or through library acquisitions. The materials describe and document the cultural traditions of Southeast Asia. Apart from photographs, colour slides, and negatives, the SEACC Collection also has audiocassettes, video recordings, prints and posters. These materials are kept in the SEACC Room.
Recently, Mr Peter Mason deposited 880 slides on Singapore,    Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, belonging to his father, Frederic Mason,    who was the Professor of Education at the University Malaya    in Singapore in the 1950s.   The Library also has a growing collection of CD-ROMs consisting of    statistical, textual and interactive titles. Access for multimedia materials   may be requested at the Circulation Desk.

Microform Collection
The Microform Collection includes published and unpublished materials, including back issues of selected newspapers and journals, theses, rare books and retrospective newspaper clippings files. Requests may be made at the Circulation Desk.

Library Office Collection
The Library Office (LO) Collection consists of unpublished dissertations and other semi-restricted publications. Requests may be made at the Circulation Desk.

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