Transforming Cultural Heritage Engagement: Empowering Youth through Libraries

Abstract

Communities struggle to balance modernisation with the preservation of cultural memory – exacerbated by accelerating socio-political turmoil. Singapore’s rapid growth as a young nation has outpaced efforts to record and sustain the stories, places, and practices that shape collective identity. This has created gaps in how younger generations understand and relate to their heritage. Recognising this challenge, NUS Libraries developed the TF-NUS Heritage Champions Programme, which fuses philanthropic funding with industry know-how and library resources to empower and equip youths to document cultural history.

AWARD-WINNING MODEL OF CO CREATION We offer a model that combines structured skills training, competitive ideation, and close mentorship for youth-led heritage projects. This received acknowledgement at the IFLA PressReader International Marketing Award 2025, reflecting its emphasis on co-creation and digital innovation.

LIBRARIES’ ROLE IN GROWING THE HERITAGE SECTOR NUS Libraries plays a central role in sourcing funders, coordinating partners, curating collections, and providing digital scholarship training. Participants then develop and implement heritage projects that contribute to community-based cultural understanding.