Welcome to SEALion!
SEALion (Southeast Asian Studies Library Integrated Online) is ISEAS Library’s public online catalogue and the backbone of the Library’s online systems, houses bibliographic information for close to 400,000 items of printed monographs, journals, maps as well as microforms of regional newspapers, journals, theses, antiquarian books and press clippings.
Visit SEALion Catalogue here.
You may also browse other resources provided by the Library:
ISEAS Library Info Alerts | E-journals & E-newspapers | Subscribed Databases
Visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand, 21 January 2018
ISEAS Library Statistics (Oct-Dec 2017)
The ISEAS Library Statistics for Oct-Dec 2017 has been completed. Click on the link to view.
Visit by Singapore Management University (SMU) Librarians, 18 December 2017
Visit by Librarians from National Library of China, 22 November 2017
ISEAS Library Statistics (Jul-Sep 2017)
The ISEAS Library Statistics for Jul-Sep 2017 has been completed. Click on the link to view.
ISEAS Library Statistics (Apr-Jun 2017)
The ISEAS Library Statistics for Apr-Jun 2017 has been completed. Click on the link to view.
Thai Librarian from Library of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Thailand
ISEAS Library is pleased to have Ms Janya Youthapolnavee from Library of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Thailand, visiting us for a short internship in April/June this year, during which we shared with her how the Library build up and manage collections. She also took the opportunity to collate a bibliography on selected Thai titles.
ISEAS Library Statistics (Jan-Mar 2017)
The ISEAS Library Statistics for Jan-Mar 2017 has been completed. Click on the link to view.
New ISEAS Library E-Bibliography on “Islam and Its Impact on Muslim Community in Southeast Asian Societies”(March 2017)
PDF is available. To order please contact ISEAS Publishing Online Bookshop at: https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/
Visit by Dr Koji Nakajima, Visiting Professor, Meiji Gakuin University, Japan, 7-8 March 2017
Visit by Centre for Asia Legal Exchange, Nagoya University, Japan, 13 February 2017
Visit by King Prajadhipok’s Institute, Thailand, 9 February 2017
ISEAS Library Statistics (15 Aug-31 Dec 2016)
The ISEAS Library Statistics for 15 Aug-31 Dec 2016 has been completed. Click on the link to view.
ISEAS Library @ Regional Outlook Forum 2017, 9 January 2017
In support of ISEAS’ flagship conference Regional Outlook Forum 2017 held at Raffles City Convention Centre, the Library set up a small display corner to allow participants get to know our Southeast Asian-focused collections and range of information services available. Based on the themes of the conference, the Library selected 78 titles (including 15 journals) for display, of which 10 titles were loaned out at the end of the event.

A total of 140 conference participants visited the booth, representing close to 25% of the total number of participants. 24 of them registered on the spot as new users members. About half came from public sector – government/statutory boards. 16 new users also subscribed to the Library’s free Info-Alert services – Daily News Alert and Weekly News Articles.

Work Experience Programme for Raffles Girls’ School, 21 November-2 December 2016
The ISEAS Library has concluded its 4th run of internship programme for 5 Raffles Girls School (RGS) students from 21 November-2 December 2016. The students assisted in the processing private papers of Dr K. G. Tregonning and Professor Chan Heng Chee, RFID tagging, stocktaking using RFID scanner and microfilm scanning.

Visit by Research School of Southeast Asian Studies Library, Xiamen University, 18 August 2016
Dr Zhang Changhong, Chief Librarian from Research School of Southeast Asian Studies Library, Xiamen University and her 3 colleagues Mr Zhang Dayong, Ms Yao Xiaojing and Ms Zhu Hongjie visited ISEAS Library with the accompany of Dr Lye Soo Choon, Senior Oral History Specialist, National Archives of Singapore.
Mr Pitt Kuan Wah, Head of ISEAS Library met the delegation in the Library and Ms Liang Shuang, Manager of Reference & Circulation gave the briefing on Library collection and management, in particular on Private Paper and Photograph collections. Dr Zhang also provided an overview of Research School of Southeast Asian Studies Library’s history and collection. During the visit, they also exchanged views on the library’s accessing policy to public users as well as acquisition of library materials.
The delegation then viewed Library Reference and Journal collections, and toured Library Galleries. Both sides expressed an interest to strengthen relationship for further cooperation in addition to the current journal exchange programme.
Myanmar Parliamentary Team visit, 5 August 2016
Students Visit from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, 22 July 2016
NUS Asia Research Institute Graduate Students Visit, 25 May 2016
National Library Team Visit, 17 Mar 2016
Opening of the NSC Archaeology Unit Gallery, 14 Mar 2016
Visit by H.E. Say Samal, Cambodian Minister of Environment
29 Jan 2016
Head, ISEAS Library, briefing H.E. Cambodian Minister of Environment, Say Samal, at the Yusof Ishak Gallery
Head, ISEAS Library, highlighting books on Cambodia to H.E. Cambodian Minister of Environment, Say Samal
H.E. Cambodian Minister of Environment, Say Samal, showing his library membership card, with Head, ISEAS Library
Library @ Regional Outlook Forum 2016, 12 January 2016


NSC’s Trainees Visit, 21 December 2015

Work Experience Programme for Raffles Girls’ School, 16-27 November 2015


Yusof Ishak in Pictures: Life and Times of Singapore’s First President
The exhibition gallery “Yusof Ishak in Pictures: Life and Times of Singapore’s First President” was officially opened by Puan Noor Aishah on 12 August 2015 as part of the Institute’s renaming ceremony. The exhibition traces the various aspects of the late President’s life through the many photographs from mainly the archives of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) and other published sources, from his school days with the Raffles Institution, to his venture into journalism and establishing the Utusan Melayu and his brief career in the public service before he became the Head of State when Singapore became a Self-government in 1959 and later an Independent country in 1965. The exhibition ends with a section on “Remembering Yusof Ishak”, highlighting his legacies and the various commemorative efforts taken to remember his lifetime achievements, leading to the renaming of ISEAS in his honour.
You may click on the images to view more photos.
Opening (12 August 2015)

Visitors (2015/2016)

Visitors (2016/2017)

The audio-visual recordings mostly consist of folk tales (via story telling), documentaries, docudramas and feature movies.
ASEAN | Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Laos | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Timor Leste | Thailand | Vietnam | General
ASEAN
- ASEAN Statistics Statistical information on ASEAN’s economic conditions and future developments.
Brunei
- The Department of Economic Planning and Development, Prime Minister’s Office, provides vital statistics, however, the website does not provide current information.
For other sources of statistics on Brunei, please visit the following links:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/bruneidarussalam.html
http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/brunei/statistics/
Cambodia
- National Institute of Statistics National statistical organisation responsible for the collection, processing, and dissemination of national official statistics on Population, Consumer Price index, Economic, Health and Labour statistics.
Indonesia
- Central Bureau of Statistics provides statistical information on Indonesia.
- Bank Indonesia provides financial statistics and other indicators.
Laos
- Lao Statistical Bureau Official Website offers quick statistical figuires at a glance which also include statistical information on population census, economics, transport, agriculture, investment, etc over the years.
Malaysia
- MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Statistics) Provides essential economic and trade-related data such as Malaysia’s key economic indicators, trade statistics, top 10 trade statistics, bilateral trade statistics covering major trading partners and key export industries.
- Department of Statistics Malaysia Statistical information on Malaysia.
Myanmar
- Ministry of Hotels & Tourism Myanmar Tourism statistics.
Philippines
- National Statistical Coordination Board Statistical tables cover population, vital statistics, education, national accounts, labor, poverty, and transportation.
- National Statistical Office Press releases and summaries of population, manufacturing, and trade data. Catalog of printed publications.
Singapore
- Singapore Department of Statistics Provides statistical resources on Singapore. Online access to more than 30,000 time series on the economic, demographic and social characteristics of Singapore.
- Statlink Statlink generates reports on Singapore’s trade with markets, products or commodities. Figures are updated monthly upon the release of Singapore’s trade figures.
- Tourism statistics Singapore tourism statistics available in fact sheet.
Timor Leste
- The National Statistics Directorate (Direcção Nacional de Estatística – DNE) is the state department under the General-Directorate of Analysis and Research of the Ministry of Finance responsible for the co-ordination of the National Statistical System and for the collection, production, analysis and dissemination of official statistics on the demographic, social, environmental and economic domains.
Thailand
- Bank of Thailand Provides economic data.
- Department of International Trade Promotion (formerly known as Department of Export Promotion) Provides Thailand’s export performance.
- National Statistics Office Statistical information center for the whole country while provincial offices also exist and act as information centers the provinces. Data available in the centers consists not only of data produced by the NSO but that those produced by other government agencies as well.
- Thailand Tourism Statistics
- Thailand Board of Investment
Vietnam
- The General Statistics Office of Vietnam Provides monthly statistical information and statistical data on land, climate, population, employment, National Accounts, Agriculture, Industry, Investment, trade, tourism, transport, telecommunications, education and others.
General
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organisation of Pacific Rim nations promoting business development.
- CIA World Factbook Provides brief information about a country’s population, ethnicity, politics, and economics.
- Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade Permanent electronic archive of information released prior to January 20, 2001.
- Human Development Report (UNDP) Web version summarizes regional and country statistics on economic, social, and educational development. Each annual version focuses on an individual topic.
- International Labour Organisation
- International Statistical Institute
- International Data Base Summary vital statistics data for all countries, 1996 and 2000 as well as mid-year estimates, 1950-2020. Additional data on marital status, ethnic origin, religion, literacy, labor force, income and poverty. Data may be downloaded directly or viewed via a spreadsheet.
- Organisation For Economic Co-Operation And Development
- Poverty & Equity Data (World Bank) World Bank Social Indicators provides poverty data that is region and country specific.
- Progress of Nations (UNICEF) Annual report with country statistics on social indicators for women and children.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Provides statistical reports on refugees by country.
- World Competitiveness Yearbook Web-sites provides summary rankings only.
- World Development Report Provides detailed country economic data and trends.
- World Population Prospects Historical and world population growth.
Training and Attachments
ISEAS Library may accept official requests for practical training and attachments of professional staff from research libraries in the region and elsewhere. The duration could typically last between 2-week to a month based on the range of subjects covered in the attachment programme. For further information, please write to the Head, ISEAS Library.
On occasions, the Library receives students from the Singapore Nanyang Technological University Department of Information Studies for guided tour, briefing and/or observation session. During school vacation, the Library may also conduct short internship programme (usually 10-14 working days) for upper secondary schools such as Raffles Girls’ School (2013-2015).
Singapore Memory Project (SMP)
The Library initiated a cooperative project between the National University of Singapore (NUS) Library and the National Library Board (NLB) on 25 May 2005 on digitising rare and antiquarian books. The group was formed and was later adopted by the Chief Librarian’s Council (CLC) as one of its Committees. The CLC later appointed the NLB to develop it into the Singapore Memory Project (SMP). A three-tier management strategy involved the Steering Committee comprising heads of organisations, the Network Core Group member comprising heads of libraries and the archives; and technical subcommittees of specialists. As one of the SMP key participating libraries, the Library contributed its private archives of Singapore personalities and other special collections including oral history recordings and transcripts for meta-tagging, digitisation and indexing under the Project.
Virtual Union Catalogue (VUC)
The Library is part of the VUC project initiated by the National Library Board and the libraries of Institutes of Higher Learning. It is now available on the web at www.vuc.sg
Committee on Research Materials on Southeast Asia (CORMOSEA)
The Library is an active participant of the United Stated-based CORMOSEA.
Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI)
The Library has an ongoing collaborative project with SERI (Institut Kajian Sosio-Ekonomi & Alam Sekitar) of Penang. The project arose in response to a request by SERI to develop a Penang Studies Collection at the Library. SERI will regularly send their publications for inclusion in the Collection.
Corporate History |
Collection Building |
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The ISEAS Library was established in 1968 to serve the research needs of ISEAS researchers as well as scholars interested in the study of the Southeast Asian region. | ![]() |
The Library monitors 92 electronic news resources on a daily basis. Extracted articles and commentaries as collated in the form of Daily News Alert to our subscribers. | ||||||
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On 12 August 2015, ISEAS was renamed ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute as part of the Singapore Government's initiative to honour the Republic’s first President, Yusof Ishak. | ![]() |
The Library monitors 60 journals and websites of think tanks on a weekly basis and extracts relevant articles to send to our users and subscribers. | ||||||
Collection Access |
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Nitrogen Fumigation Chamber | 13.6 - The Library operates a fumigation chamber to treat infested materials before adding them to the collection. Each fumigation cycle uses two cylinders of Nitrogen gas, consuming 13.6 cubic metres of Nitrogen gas. | The Heaviest Book | 3.5 - The weight of the heaviest book in the Library is 3.5kg. It is a Vietnamese publication entitled “Đại Từ Điển Kinh Tế Thị Trường” (Dictionary on Market Economy). | ||||||
Private Papers | 22 - As of July 2016, the Library has taken custody of the private papers of 22 prominent individuals, which includes S. Rajaratnam, David Marshall, H.S. Lee and Tan Chin Tuan. These private collections provide historical perspectives on social, political and other aspects on Southeast Asia. They are available for consultation at the Library upon request. | Microfilm Collections | 18,046 - The Library has 18,046 reels of 35mm microfilm, the majority of them are regional newspapers. The Library has digitised close to 15,000 reels as of August 2016 for online access. | ||||||
Glass Plate Negatives | 75 - The ISEAS Library has in its custody 75 glass plate negatives as part of its Southeast Asian Cultural Collection. The collection also includes an estimated 30,000 35mm framed colour slides and 40,000 rolls of negatives, mostly on buildings (architecture) and village people. | Microfiche Collections | 59,379 - The Library has a total of 59,379 titles in its microfiche collection. 77% of these are in Indonesian language. | ||||||
Loanable Materials | 189,073 - As of July 2016, the volume of loanable library materials (books and journals) is 189,073. | Indonesian Collections | 62,821 - As of July 2016, the Library has a total of 62,821 titles on Indonesia.79% of them are in Bahasa Indonesia. |
ISEAS Library Selects is an information alert service put together by the ISEAS Library that contains links to news and blog articles covering Southeast Asia and special topics relevant to the research interest/direction/agenda of ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.
You may view the past issues listed below. Back issues of this information alert are available at the ISEAS Library.
Daily News Alert
9 April 2021 | 1 April 2021 |
8 April 2021 | 31 March 2021 |
7 April 2021 | 30 March 2021 |
6 April 2021 | 29 March 2021 |
5 April 2021 | 26 March 2021 |
Archives of ISEAS Annual Reports