Showered with architectural awards before it had even opened, the futuristic National Library (nlb.gov.sg; free) was designed by Malaysian architect and ecologist Ken Yeang; it's made up of two towers, linked by walkways and covered almost entirely with glass.
The upper floors offer excellent city views and house various collections alongside engaging permanent exhibitions. The News Gallery: Beyond Headlines on Level 11 tells Singapore's history through decades of newspaper reporting, and Book Havens of Bras Basah in the Immersive Room projects a nine-minute timelapse that charts the neighborhood's transformation over the last century.
In the basement, the Central Library features the Singapore Alcove dedicated to local literature and culture, while young visitors will enjoy the Children's Biodiversity Library by Singapore Oceanarium, designed to evoke an underwater world filled with marine life.