Archives Conservation Laboratory

Learn how the Archives Conservation Lab preserves Singapore's historical records. Explore behind-the-scenes videos, talks, and resources on conservation.

Last updated 20 July 2026

About Us

Since 1969, the Archives Conservation Lab (ACL) has been dedicated to preserving Singapore’s paper-based archival records dating back to the 1800s. Items that we work on include manuscripts, bound volumes, maps, architectural drawings, photographs, and posters.

Gloved hands holding vintage photos of Asian street scenes with old buildings and vehicles on a gray surface.

What We Do

ACL undertakes both preventive measures and interventive conservation treatments to protect and store records of significance for posterity. Preventive care involves pest management, monitoring and controlling storage environments in line with international standards, and housing items in archival enclosures. Interventive treatments include cleaning and physical repairs that stabilise fragile or deteriorated records.

Person in a white coat peeling a cut dark sheet from a large flatbed cutting machine.

A hand uses tweezers to carefully repair a fragile aged document covered in handwritten cursive text.

ACL also supports exhibitions to safely display records. In addition, we provide conservation consultations for the National Library Board as well as other government agencies, and offer training to staff on proper collection handling and care.

Two museum workers open a display case containing a red document with Chinese writing, with purple exhibit panels behind them.

Committed to advancing the field, ACL actively participates in regional and international conservation forums by contributing research and collaborating with global partners. ACL also inspires the public through education and outreach — sharing knowledge and sparking interest in the field through talks and on social media, to make conservation accessible for all.