This library in Penang safeguards the island state's precious historical collections

An archival image showing bullock cart transports at Jalan Maxwell in George Town. It is one of the thousands of old photographs in Penang Public Library Corporation's archives. Photo: Bernama

Since it was built in 1817, the Penang Library, which is now known as Penang Public Library Corporation (PPAPP), has been safeguarding more than 10,000 rare archival collections, each with its own significant historical value.

Librarian Azizah Zainon, 39, pointed out that among them are hundreds of scholarly books, magazines, old photos, agreement letters, religious texts, newspapers and hand-drawn maps, which are hundreds of years old.