(Bandar Seri Begawan, 29th) The Brunei Central Historical Library, as Brunei’s main reference center, plays an important role in preserving, recording, and passing on the nation’s historical treasures, striving to prevent them from being lost in the tides of history.
According to Mohd Shami, Director of Brunei Central Historical Library and Learning Department, and Senior History Officer, the Brunei Central Historical Library was established on January 26, 1982 by command of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.
The establishment of the Brunei Central Historical Library reflects His Majesty’s far-sighted vision, namely ensuring that the nation’s history and cultural heritage can be systematically recorded, researched, and preserved on the basis of academic study.
He said that, as an institution responsible for collecting, preserving and maintaining documents and historical resources, the National History Committee acts as the guardian of the nation's collective memory. It is an important reference center for researchers, students, academics, and the public to gain in-depth understanding of national history, culture, and genealogy, and also helps to enhance national identity.
In addition, he further added that the National History Committee Library, as a comprehensive reference resource platform, has become the core of national historical research by providing authoritative and reliable reference materials. In addition to supporting academic research, the library also provides reference services for the public who are interested in local historical and cultural heritage.
The National History Committee also actively organizes various educational and public outreach activities, such as historical exhibitions, academic lectures, new book launches, and interactive activities with the community, in order to enhance the public’s understanding and interest in the country’s history.
Introducing the holdings of Brunei’s Public Service Bureau Library, he pointed out that, as of now, the library possesses 60,174 items, divided into seven main categories: Brunei Reference Collection, Southeast Asia Collection, Borneo Collection, General Reference Collection, Rare Materials Collection, Periodicals Collection, and Press Clippings Collection. The PSB Library has a wealth of reading materials, making it an important source of knowledge for researchers, students, and others interested in the history and culture of Brunei and Southeast Asia.
These diversified collections not only support academic research, but also offer access to precious and rare information, making it a vital resource for both local and international research communities. Speaking about the collection's composition, he explained that the holdings include 33,246 books (of which 655 are rare books), 22,642 kinds of periodicals (such as magazines, journals, and bulletins), and 4,171 working papers.
One of the Brunei Central Historical Library’s most treasured holdings is its rare book collection, some of which are hard to find and already out of print or no longer published. According to him, these books contain unique information and are a valuable asset for researchers wishing to gain an in-depth understanding of Brunei and its surrounding areas’ history.
This collection is a treasure trove of knowledge and historical heritage, greatly enhancing the library’s status as a dedicated information storage center. One featured collection is “The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898,” a 55-volume series compiling documents from the Spanish colonial period, recording Brunei’s relations with Western powers, including the 1578 Castilian War. Another important treasure is a Malay Dictionary published in 1801, which demonstrates Malay’s status as a “lingua franca” in Southeast Asia, and its role in trade, diplomacy, and the spread of Islam.
The National History Committee Library is also open to the public for membership. He explained that membership to the National History Committee Library is free and open to all sectors of society, including foreigners. Yellow Card and Purple Card holders’ memberships are valid for five years, while Green Card holders’ memberships are valid for three years. As a specialized library, all reference materials are restricted to in-library use to ensure the safety and preservation of historical documents.
Regarding future plans, the National History Committee hopes to continuously enrich the library’s holdings by collecting new materials, digitizing collections, and strengthening information management systems. The aim is to support more comprehensive national historical research, while ensuring that the National History Committee Library continues to play a vital role as the main historical reference center of the National History Committee.