Case Study: Singapore's National Library Board achieves more accurate demand forecasts (60% accuracy) with SAS Demand‑Driven Forecasting

National Library Board - Customer Case Study

Singapore’s National Library Board (NLB) operates 25 public libraries and serves about 2 million registered patrons, and faced the ongoing challenge of keeping collections current, relevant and well stocked so readers don’t leave empty‑handed. The board needed to forecast demand for new and existing titles across diverse neighborhoods and ensure the right mix of books for different segments.

NLB implemented SAS® Demand‑Driven Forecasting to analyze loans, renewals, reservations, authors and title data, integrating the solution with its selection, acquisition and collection‑planning systems via a web‑based SOAP interface. The automated forecasts—developed after a six‑month planning phase—gave librarians statistically optimized, rolling projections and improved acquisition decisions, yielding about 60% accuracy for existing titles and category forecasts and a more reliable experience for staff and patrons.

National Library Board

Colin Seow

Manager of Resource Management