Inspired by Briana and Kysta’s series of posts about libraries over at Pages Unbound, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips for fellow Singaporean bookworms to get the most out of their NLB membership. I mean, I’ve been buying A Lot of books (capital letters intended) but the only reason I haven’t bought more is because the NLB has such a good collection.

Tip #1: Download the NLB App to check out books using your phone + search the catalogue

This app is a game-changer because now, you will never have to use the library’s shared computers to search the catalogue or queue to borrow books ever again. The NLB app can borrow books (you will need a smartphone with a camera), help you keep track of your loans, and has a search function for their catalogue.

Tip #2: Use Libby/Overdrive or PressReader to read newspapers and magazines for free

If you would like to read newspapers and magazines from around the world, there are two ways of doing so:

1. Via PressReader app: Tap on the eNewspapers & eMagazines icon in the NLB app. You will be redirected to the PressReader app and have one hour to read the newspapers/magazines. This works at home and you can keep renewing your reading session (I haven’t been preventing from accessing the papers more than once, at any rate)
2. Via Libby/Overdrive: If you have Libby or Overdrive, you can download magazines from there too! They don’t count towards your loan quota so feel free to binge on as many magazines as you want – I’ve seen The New Yorker, Wired, BBC Good Food, etc

If you want to read the local news (i.e. anything from SPH), click on the SPH Newspapers icon in the NLB app and you will be redirected to an external site where you can read the newspapers. Since the Straits Times tends to put their articles behind a paywall, this is a free way to get around it.

Note: the eNewspaper for the local news is only for the day you’re reading (at least, that’s what I see for the English papers, I’ve not checked the Malay or Chinese ones). If you know of a way to browse back issues, please let me know!

Tip #3: Subscribe to the NLB newsletter to stay up to date on events going on

This is honestly the biggest hidden gem because the NLB does not make it easy for you to sign up – I mean, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve seen a newsletter that requires you to sign up by sending an email (I think I got on there because I’ve got an account with the Singapore Depository). If the link doesn’t work, here is the information:

Happenings@PL – A monthly eNewsletter that provides a summary on the upcoming events taking place at our public libraries you may be interested in.

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from our eNewsletter, simply email us at Our_Public_Libraries@nlb.gov.sg.

Happenings@NL -Subscribe to receive updates about what’s going on at the National Library, Singapore. Be informed of upcoming events and programmes, latest news and announcements, eResources eNewsletters by our librarians, and much more.

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from our eNewsletter, simply email us at nlmarketing@nlb.gov.sg.

I’m subscribed to the Happenings @ PL newsletter and I find it really useful for keeping up with the events that are going on. If you want to attend more library events (which are free and nowadays, on zoom so you don’t even need to leave your house), this is a great way to keep track of what’s going on.

And these are my three tips for library users in Singapore! If you have any additional tips, let me know! I’m always trying to make the most out of my membership (: