Getting Lost in Books: A Guide to Singapore Public Libraries
If you’re an avid book lover like me, you’ll agree when I say that libraries are the best places to be no matter the occasion. There’s just something so satisfying about being surrounded by books, and the scent of book pages is divine!
So, if you’re coming to Singapore soon, libraries must be on your itinerary. Luckily for you, this little island features several public libraries, so your bookworm heart will absolutely be thrilled!
To help you, I wrote this guide with everything you need to know about public libraries in Singapore—from library policies to recommendations.
Things to Know about Public Libraries in Singapore
How many libraries are there in Singapore?
As of now, the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore reports that there are about 31 library locations all over the island.
These locations are scattered throughout Singapore. Practically every region and neighborhood has one.
While many libraries in Singapore have their own buildings, some are housed within shopping malls and other attractions, making them even more accessible to everyone.
Are public libraries in Singapore free?
Public libraries in Singapore are free for anyone to enter, but if you want to borrow books and bring them home with you, you’ll need a membership.
The NLB offers a variety of membership programs, and only Singaporeans get a free membership. For permanent residents and foreigners, the membership details are as follows:
Can foreigners use libraries in Singapore?
Yes, foreigners can use the libraries in Singapore. As you’ve seen in the previous section, foreigners can get a membership that lets them borrow materials from the library, but even if you’re not a member, you can still enjoy some perks.
You can go inside a library and read a few books while you’re there.
You can also check out the news articles on the computers. The news articles go all the way back to the 1800s!
For foreigners who are students at any school under the Singapore Ministry of Education, library membership will be free.
What are the library policies in Singapore?
If you’re planning to visit a library in Singapore, you have to follow the rules and regulations. The library policies you have to keep in mind are as follows:
- Turn off your phone or switch it to silent mode. If you have to communicate with someone, only send text messages. Never call.
- Never eat, drink, or smoke inside the library.
- Never damage or steal library materials. If you do, you’ll suffer serious consequences.
- Don’t bring food and drinks purchased outside. If you’re really hungry or thirsty, libraries have cafes that you can go to.
What Public Libraries to Check Out in Singapore
National Library of Singapore
— From: ramon.mor.photos
Address: 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
If you could only visit one library in Singapore, let it be the National Library. After all, it’s the flagship library as well as the largest public library on the island (with an area of over 11,000 square meters!).
The National Library boasts over 600,000 items, and these items are divided into various collections, such as Singapore and Southeast Asian collections, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil collections, and many more.
Because of its extensive array of books and artifacts, the National Library attracts both casual visitors and researchers alike.
Pro Tip: If you feel like roaming around, be sure to check out The Retreat in the library. It’s a small, relaxing green spot.
Punggol Regional Library
— From: benauhc
Address: 1 Punggol Drive One, #01-12, Singapore 828629
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Located within One Punggol, the Punggol Regional Library is one of my favorites for a variety of reasons.
For one, it’s fairly accessible. It has a connecting bridge to Sam Kee LRT station and is within walking distance of the Punggol Temporary Bus Interchange, Waterway Point, and the Punggol MRT/LRT station.
And the accessibility doesn’t stop there. You can also find various features that cater to people with disabilities.
For example, there are assistive keyboards with large print keys for people with visual impairment and calm pods to provide a quiet space.
Last but not least, I love how this library is a family-friendly spot. Sometimes, I come here with my little cousins, and they spend their time browsing the Toy Library or Children’s Zone, while I take a seat to enjoy a book.
Pro Tip: This library is the only one in Singapore with a food court attached, so when you’re hungry, you don’t have to go far to get your fill.
Yishun Public Library
— From: shutterbugzz118
Address: 930 Yishun Ave 2 #04-01 North Wing Northpoint City, Singapore 769098
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Another library that I like to visit simply because it’s easy to get to is the Yishun Public Library. This one is located in Northpoint City, and I always come here after spending hours roaming around the mall just to take a breather.
I also really like the interior design of this library. It incorporates Yishun’s heritage as a natural plantation (as shown by the wooden accents), and there’s also a quiet reading lounge, which features individual nooks with a relaxing dimmed ambiance.
This reading lounge is great because it offers privacy, so I can read my books without fear of getting disrupted.
Pro Tip: There aren’t that many seats here, so if you want to secure a spot, you might want to come to this library as early as possible.
Tampines Regional Library
— From: zippyzipeng
Address: Lobby H, 1 Tampines Walk, #02-01 Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 528523
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Tampines Regional Library is the first-ever regional library in Singapore. It was initially opened in 1994 at Tampines New Town, but in August 2017, it was relocated to Our Tampines Hub.
At five stories, Tampines Regional Library is the kind of library that you can absolutely get lost in. There are over 400,000 books here and various spaces that cater to different interests and age groups.
But my favorite feature is the exercise bike reading desk. This unique reading desk faces a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, so you can achieve multiple things at the same time: read your book, exercise by paddling the bike, and enjoy the view outside.
There’s only one exercise bike reading desk, and it’s a popular spot, so there’s a possibility you might not be able to try this. But if you come to this library at the earliest possible time, then you just might be able to snag this spot for yourself.
Pro Tips:
- If you’re traveling with a child, there’s an indoor playground that will keep them busy and entertained.
- If you can’t get the exercise bike reading desk, you might want to check out the terraces at Levels 4 and 5. The Terraces feature cushioned seats that will keep you comfortable as you read.
Bedok Public Library
— From: aya_skmr_sg
Address: 11 Bedok North Street 1, #02-03 & #03-04 Heartbeat@Bedok, Singapore 469662
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
The best way I can describe Bedok Public Library is that it’s built for the community. There are various features here that are friendly to senior citizens (e.g. large print books), and there are sections devoted to kids and teens.
It’s also a relatively spacious library—with 200,000 books and a seating capacity of 435 people. Because of this, it’s so easy to find a cozy nook here and just spend the rest of the day buried in books.
Pro Tip: The air conditioner here can get quite strong, so be sure to bring a jacket just in case.
Bishan Public Library
— From: chongchanhar
Address: 5 Bishan Pl, #01-01, Singapore 579841
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Bishan Public Library features a distinctive architectural look. The four-story building features a basement and roof terrace flanked by stained glass panels that look like light from a tree canopy, and there are colorful reading pods that stick out from the facade.
You’ll definitely be intrigued to check the place out. At least, that’s what happened to me. I was merely passing by this library, but once I saw what it looked like, I couldn’t help but walk inside to explore.
But while it’s the architecture that lured me in, it’s the collection of books that made me stay. There are over 250,000 books available here, with various unique collections, and I love browsing the shelves and picking up a random book that catches my eye.
Pro Tip: When you’re in the mood for snacks, head to the on-site cafe, Kings Cart Coffee, which serves perfectly hot coffee and tea as well as delicious dishes.
Woodlands Regional Library
— From: _naulak_
Address: 900 S Woodlands Dr, #01-03 Civic Centre, Singapore 730900
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Located within the premises of the Woodlands Civic Center, Woodlands Regional Library is one of the largest libraries in Singapore. It has a floor space of 11,100 square meters and houses 540,000 items in its collection.
The library was designed with a nature theme, so it’s easy to feel relaxed when hanging out in this place. Another highlight is that there’s a 250-seat auditorium in the basement, which is where exciting events are sometimes held.
I watched an orchestra performance in this auditorium, and I also heard that public screenings of various TV programs are also hosted here. Catch these events if you can!
Pro Tip: If you don’t know what book to pick and read during your visit, the library has a recommendations shelf that you can browse.
Library at Chinatown Point
— From: mply.space
Address: 133 New Bridge Rd, #04-12 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
If you’re ever in Chinatown, one of the places you might want to check out is the Library at Chinatown Point. This library is special, as it’s the first themed library in Singapore that’s dedicated to Chinese arts and culture.
Because of this, you can find books and artifacts from various Chinese communities, such as Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese. Browsing through these items will give you a glimpse of Chinese culture in Singapore, which is absolutely fascinating.
Another thing that I love about this library is the group of volunteers that run this place. They’re so passionate and hard-working, and they won’t hesitate to discuss anything about Chinese heritage in Singapore.
Pro Tip: It can get really crowded during the weekends, so if you want a quiet time to yourself, I suggest coming here on a weekday.
Library at Orchard
— From: rosemae.___
Address: 277 Orchard Rd, #03-12 / #04-11 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Located right on the iconic Orchard Road, the Library at Orchard is the best place to be if you want to take a break from shopping.
Its design is very modern and chic. The space is very bright, and some shelves are curved instead of your typical straight ones.
The library also has a pretty decent collection of books. Whenever I come here, I notice that most of its books are centered on lifestyle, design, and applied art, but I also find paperback novels and magazines.
My favorite thing about this library is the fact that it features several features that aren’t related to books. For example, there are music programs that feature rap artists and rock bands.
Pro Tips:
- Don’t forget to bring a jacket or shawl here. The library can get really cold at times.
- If you’d like to enjoy a view while you read, head to Level 2. There are a few seats there that allow you to enjoy the cityscape.
Library at Harbourfront
— From: marshellaeyya
Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, #03-05 VivoCity, Singapore 098585
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Formerly known as Bukit Merah Public Library, the Library at Harbourfront is another modern library located within a shopping mall (VivoCity). As of now, it’s the largest shopping mall library in Singapore.
What I love the most about this library is its reading lounge—incredibly spacious and overlooks the beautiful Sentosa. Because of this, you’ll be able to enjoy waterfront views, making you feel like you’re reading by the beach.
Pro Tips:
- Once again, bringing a jacket is essential because this library can get super cold.
- When you’re hungry, I suggest you try Bones ‘n Barrels Sentosa (which is located along the Sentosa Boardwalk) and Marché Mövenpick (which is in VivoCity).
Library at Esplanade
— From: fah_rook
Address: 8 Raffles Ave., #03-01, Singapore 039802
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Speaking of niche libraries, another one that I always recommend is the Library at Esplanade. This library focuses on the topic of performing arts, so you’re most likely going to find books all about music, dance, theatre, and film.
Since you’re already at the Esplanade, you can also catch any of the shows being held here. And you might also be interested in checking out a few iconic attractions nearby, such as Marina Bay Sands, Helix Bridge, and ArtScience Museum.
Pro Tip: The library staff here are actually stricter compared to other libraries. In particular, you’re not allowed to nap or sleep here, and you should also wear your shoes at all times (going barefoot is prohibited).
Singapore Sports Hub Library
— From: fly55961
Address: 4 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397697
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 8 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
If you’d like to learn more about sports and other forms of active recreation, then you might want to go to the Singapore Sports Hub Library. This library is just brimming with resources about sports, health and fitness, and coaching.
This place also comes with other niche topics that might interest you. For example, you can find materials about business management, science, medical topics, and more.
In other words, the Sports Hub Library is more than just about sports. There’s something for everyone here.
Pro Tip: Right beside the library, you can find a sports museum, which is also free of charge. If you have the time, I suggest checking out this fascinating museum. Even if you’re not into sports, it’s fun learning all about this particular field.
Library of Botany and Horticulture
— From: stephyquack
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 5 pm
- Closed on Saturday and Sunday
The Library of Botany and Horticulture is one of the attractions in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and it’s one that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Located within the Botany Center, this library was founded in 1875, making it one of the oldest specialized libraries in all of Southeast Asia. It’s home to a whopping 120,000 accessioned items, including 30,000 books.
Because of the rare collection of items and books here, this library serves as an indispensable resource for botanists and people who are interested in botany.
Pro Tip: Since you’re already in the Gardens, there are other areas that can help you learn more about botany. These areas include the Heritage Museum, CDL Green Gallery, Botanical Art Gallery, Ethnobotany Garden, and Forest Discovery Center.
Apps to Download When Visiting Public Libraries in Singapore
NLB Mobile App. Your personal library that lets you track your loans from any library in Singapore
Libby. Another app that lets you access the ebooks and audiobooks you’ve borrowed from any library in Singapore
Grab. The most popular ride-hailing app in Singapore
Ryde. Another ride-hailing app that’s popular in Singapore
Gojek. Another ride-hailing app that’s popular in Singapore
Google Maps. A web mapping platform that shows you the address of your destination, as well as directions on how to get there and real-time traffic information