The National University of Singapore (NUS) found itself at the center of a heated controversy in May 2025 when videos surfaced showing hundreds of books from the Yale-NUS College library being loaded onto recycling trucks for disposal. This incident, described by NUS as an 'operational lapse,' sparked widespread outrage among students, alumni, and the public, raising questions about resource management, institutional transparency, and the preservation of academic legacy in Singapore's higher education landscape. One year on, as NUS continues its transition following the closure of Yale-NUS College, the episode offers valuable lessons for university library practices and stakeholder engagement.
Understanding Yale-NUS College and Its Closure
Yale-NUS College, established in 2013 as a groundbreaking collaboration between Yale University and NUS, was Singapore's pioneering liberal arts college. It aimed to blend the best of American liberal arts education with Asian contexts, fostering interdisciplinary thinking and global citizenship. The college's inaugural class graduated in 2017, and by 2021, it had built a vibrant community known for innovative pedagogy and a diverse student body.
The closure announcement came abruptly on August 26, 2021, citing 'dramatic changes in the global environment' that made the original model unsustainable. The final cohort graduated in June 2025, with programs transitioning into the new NUS College, which emphasizes broad-based learning while integrating more specialized tracks. This shift reflected broader trends in Singapore higher education toward flexibility amid geopolitical shifts and evolving student needs. The Yale-NUS library, with its curated collection of around 45,000 volumes in philosophy, literature, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, became a casualty of this reconfiguration.
The library symbolized the college's unique identity, housing rare texts, faculty-authored works, and materials tailored to its curriculum. As space was needed for the incoming NUS Faculty of Law—relocating from Bukit Timah to Kent Ridge in January 2026—the collection faced relocation pressures.
The Disposal Incident: What Happened on May 20, 2025
On May 20, 2025, at the Yale-NUS College drop-off point near University Town, workers from recycling firm Green Orange Enviro were seen bagging books and loading them onto trucks. Translucent plastic bags revealed titles in good condition—duplicates, low-circulation items, brand-new editions, and even out-of-print volumes. Students and passersby confronted the staff, who cited short notice from campus infrastructure teams, RFID security tags, and the need to vacate space quickly.
Estimates suggest 50 bags, containing 500 to 900 books, were transported to Asia Recycling Resources for shredding. NUS staff intervened, but retrieval efforts failed as the process had advanced. This visual of academic resources being discarded like waste ignited social media, with videos garnering thousands of views on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2025 | Videos emerge of books loaded for recycling; student confrontation. |
| May 21, 2025 | NUS apology; ~500 books confirmed destroyed. |
| May 28, 2025 | First book adoption fair begins. |
| June 14, 2025 | Second fair at NUS Central Library. |
Outrage from Students, Alumni, and the Public
Reactions poured in swiftly. Yale-NUS alumnus Chloe Ang posted on LinkedIn: 'Books from the library—some out of print, some brand new, some written by our beloved faculty—are now in trash bags to be disposed of and shredded.' Students described the scene as 'heartbreaking,' questioning NUS's commitment to sustainability and knowledge preservation.
A Change.org petition, 'Statement on NUS' 20 May Book Disposal and Petition for Clarity,' gathered nearly 600 signatures, demanding transparency on book numbers, value, retrieval efforts, and preventive measures. Alumni highlighted the symbolic erasure of Yale-NUS's legacy, especially amid the college's contentious closure. Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim criticized it as a 'failure of top-down management.'
On X, posts lamented it as a 'tiny crime against culture,' drawing parallels to historical library destructions. Faculty expressed disappointment, noting the unique liberal arts focus of the collection.Channel NewsAsia reported alumni concerns over waste, amplifying calls for accountability.
NUS Apology: Acknowledging the 'Operational Lapse'
On May 21, Associate Professor Natalie Pang, NUS University Librarian, issued a statement: 'In our current exercise of relocating the books from the Yale-NUS College Library, the majority has been rehomed within NUS Libraries. Excess books are routinely offered to faculty and students before recycling, in line with common practices. We understand later that many students are interested... We did not do so on this occasion and we apologise for the operational lapse.'Read the full NUS statement here.
NUS clarified most books (~36,000-40,000) integrated into central collections. Remaining ~9,000 excess: faculty offered first, then disposal. Short runway from law faculty move cited, but NUS committed to a campus giveaway and process review.
Book Adoption Fairs: Salvaging the Situation
In response, NUS organized 'book adoption fairs.' The first, May 28-June 9 at Yale-NUS, saw overwhelming turnout—2,000 books left after day one, event ended early May 30. A second fair on June 14 at NUS Central Library ensured equitable access. Approximately 8,500 books found new homes among students, staff, and public, turning backlash into community engagement.
- Over 6,500 books adopted in first fair.
- Prioritized Yale-NUS affiliates initially.
- Free, first-come-first-served with limits per person.
This initiative demonstrated responsiveness, though ~500 books were irretrievably lost.
Library 'Weeding' Practices in Singapore Higher Education
Weeding—removing low-use, duplicate, or outdated materials—is standard globally to optimize space and relevance. Singapore universities like NUS, NTU, and SMU follow similar protocols, balancing digital shifts with print. However, the Yale-NUS case exposed gaps: lack of stakeholder notification, RFID as barrier (tags deactivated post-disposal?), and tight timelines.
Assoc Prof Pang noted post-incident checks implemented. Broader context: Singapore's libraries emphasize sustainability; NUS recycles responsibly but prioritizes internal rehoming.Straits Times coverage highlights review promises.
Symbolic Weight: Preserving Yale-NUS Legacy
Beyond logistics, the incident symbolized mishandled closure. Yale-NUS represented bold experimentation; discarding its books felt like erasing history. Alumni worried about unique texts lost forever, fueling debates on institutional memory. Legacy site Yale-NUS Legacy preserves stories, but physical artifacts matter.
NUS College inherits the spirit, with enhanced interdisciplinary programs, but must address trust erosion.
The Promised Review: Outcomes and Improvements
NUS pledged a review for proactive distribution to NUS community and public. While no public report by 2026, internal changes likely include student notifications and extended timelines. Similar incidents rare, but case underscores communication in transitions.
NTU and SMU libraries report routine giveaways, suggesting Yale-NUS as outlier due to closure pressures.
Transition to NUS College and Law Faculty Move
Post-2025, Yale-NUS site hosts NUS Law (Jan 2026), with CJ Koh Law Library integrating spaces. NUS College enrolls new cohorts, blending Yale-NUS ethos with scalability. Library materials enhance NUS collections, accessible via integrated catalog.
Broader Implications for Singapore's University Sector
The controversy highlights challenges in Singapore's top-tier universities: rapid evolution amid space constraints, digital transitions, and stakeholder expectations. With NUS, NTU global rankings rising, transparency builds resilience. Lessons: inclusive decision-making, sustainability audits, alumni engagement.
- Enhance weeding protocols with public calls.
- Leverage alumni networks for rehoming.
- Digital archives for legacy preservation.
Positive: Fairs fostered community, reinforcing NUS's adaptability.
Looking Ahead: Sustainable Practices in Higher Education
One year later, the Yale-NUS books saga underscores responsible stewardship. Singapore's Ministry of Education emphasizes green campuses; universities can lead with transparent, participatory models. For aspiring academics, it signals value in advocacy. NUS's handling—swift apology, action—mitigated damage, preserving reputation as Asia's top university.
Stakeholders hope reviewed processes prevent repeats, ensuring knowledge endures.
