The National Library Board (NLB) operates a network of 27 public libraries across Singapore, as well as the National Library building at 100 Victoria Street. As of 2025, more than 4.2 million Singaporeans hold a library membership, making the NLB card one of the most widely held identification cards in the country. For anyone who reads, whether occasional browsers or dedicated bibliophiles, an NLB card unlocks access to over 5.8 million physical items and a vast digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, and databases.
This guide covers the step-by-step process of obtaining an NLB library card, the different membership types available, borrowing quotas and fees, and the full range of materials you can take home. It also explains how to use the NLB mobile app, manage your account online, and what to do if you exceed your limits. For a broader overview of buying and borrowing books in Singapore, refer to the complete guide on this site.
Who Can Apply for an NLB Library Card
NLB membership is open to all Singapore residents and to selected foreign visitors. The application process varies slightly depending on your residence status:
- Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, Free lifetime membership. You can sign up online via the NLB website (nlb.gov.sg) or at any public library counter. Bring your NRIC (physical or digital via Singpass) for verification.
- Foreigners residing in Singapore (Work Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Student’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass holders), Free membership for the duration of your pass. Apply in person at any library with your passport and valid pass. You can also apply online if you have a valid Singpass (for Employment Pass holders).
- Non-residents (tourists and short-term visitors), A temporary membership is available for a refundable deposit of S$10 (as of 2025). You must apply in person at a library counter, provide your passport, and pay the deposit in cash or NETS. Membership is valid for one year and allows borrowing of up to 4 physical items at a time.
The online application for citizens and PRs takes about five minutes through the NLB Join the Library page. After submitting, you receive a membership number immediately and can start borrowing ebooks from the Libby app within minutes. A physical card is mailed to your registered address within 7-10 working days, but you do not need it to borrow, just use your NRIC or the NLB mobile app.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your NLB Card
Follow these steps to get your NLB library card quickly:
- Check your eligibility, Citizens/PRs can apply online; foreigners with passes apply online or in person; tourists apply only in person.
- Prepare your documents, For online: NRIC (for Singpass login). For in-person: original NRIC or passport plus relevant pass.
- Apply online (recommended for citizens/PRs), Go to nlb.gov.sg/join, click “Join the Library”, log in with Singpass, fill in your details, and submit. You will receive your membership number on the confirmation screen.
- Apply in person, Visit any public library (e.g., library@harbourfront, Bishan Public Library, Tampines Regional Library) during opening hours. Approach the membership kiosk or counter. A staff member will process your application, allow 5-10 minutes for non-peak times.
- Activate your digital account, Download the NLB Mobile app (iOS/Android) and log in with your membership number and password. You can also set up your myLibrary username to access e-resources.
- Receive your physical card (if applicable), The card will be mailed to your residential address. If you need a card immediately, ask for a printed temporary card at the counter (some libraries offer this).
If you lose your card, you can report it via the app or by calling the NLB hotline at 6332-3255. A replacement costs S$3.40 (as of 2025).
Types of Membership and Fees (Updated 2025)
NLB membership is free for most residents, but there are a few fee-based optional services:
- Standard membership (Citizens/PRs/Pass holders), S$0. Free lifetime for citizens and PRs; free for duration of pass for foreigners.
- Tourist / Non-resident membership, S$10 refundable deposit, valid for 1 year. You can borrow up to 4 physical items. The deposit is refunded on expiry if you return all items and return the temporary card.
- Family membership, You can link up to 4 family members (spouse, children, parents) to a single account for easier management. No additional fee.
- Lost card replacement, S$3.40 per card.
Important note: There is no annual fee for standard membership. Fines for overdue items were removed permanently by the NLB in 2020. Instead, membership is suspended if you accumulate S$20 or more in replacement fees for lost or damaged items. You must settle these before borrowing again.
What Can You Borrow: Physical Items
An NLB card gives you access to a huge physical collection. Here is a breakdown of item categories and their respective loan periods and quotas:
| Item Type | Loan Period | Maximum Items per Member |
|---|---|---|
| Books (adult, children, fiction, non-fiction) | 3 weeks | 12 |
| Magazines and periodicals | 1 week | 4 |
| DVDs / Blu-rays (fiction and documentary) | 1 week | 4 |
| Audio CDs (music and audiobooks on CD) | 1 week | 4 |
| Board games (selected libraries) | 1 week | 1 |
| Instrument sets (at library@harbourfront and others) | 3 weeks | 1 |
You can also check out laptops for in-library use at most libraries, and study room keys at selected branches. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis and require your membership card.
As of 2025, the total combined quota across all physical items is 16 items per member. If you have multiple items, note that DVDs and magazines drain a separate quota (4 each) from books (12).
Renewals and Holds
- Renewals: You can renew an item up to 6 times, as long as no one else has placed a hold on it. Renewals can be done via the NLB Mobile app, website, or at the self-check machine.
- Holds: You can place up to 8 holds at a time. When the item becomes available, you receive an email and SMS notification. Items on hold are kept at the pick-up library for 3 days (weekdays) or 1 day (weekends).
Digital Resources: What You Can Borrow Without Leaving Home
Beyond physical books, an NLB card provides free access to a wealth of digital content. The most popular services include:
- Libby / OverDrive, Borrow ebooks and audiobooks. The NLB collection includes over 500,000 titles (English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil). Loan period: 21 days, with a maximum of 8 ebooks and 8 audiobooks at any time. You can install the Libby app on your phone or tablet.
- PressReader, Access over 7,000 newspapers and magazines from 120 countries, including The Straits Times, The New York Times, National Geographic, and Vogue. Unlimited access for NLB members.
- NLB eNewspapers, A dedicated portal for Singapore newspapers (including back issues of Lianhe Zaobao, Berita Harian, and The Straits Times from 1989 onwards).
- Kanopy, Free streaming of over 30,000 films and documentaries. Each member gets 8 play credits per month. You can watch on your phone, tablet, or TV.
- Beamafilm, A smaller curated collection of documentaries, with unlimited streaming (no credit limit).
- NAXOS Music Library, Stream classical and world music albums. Unlimited access.
- BBC Maestro, Access to masterclass-style courses in writing, cooking, photography, and more (30-day trial periods, renewed periodically).
- LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), Thousands of video tutorials on software, business, and creative skills. Free for NLB members.
The digital quota system runs separately from physical items. You can borrow up to 8 ebooks and 8 audiobooks simultaneously via Libby. PressReader, Kanopy, and BBC Maestro do not count toward your loan quota, they are unlimited (subject to a monthly cap on Kanopy credits).
How to Access Digital Resources
- Install the NLB Mobile app or go to eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
- Log in with your myLibrary ID (username) and password. If you haven’t set a myLibrary ID, you can do so on the NLB website under “My Account”.
- Select the resource you want, Libby, PressReader, Kanopy, etc., and you will be redirected to the platform already authenticated.
For the specialised needs of rare or collectible books, you may need to look beyond the public library system. See our guide on rare book dealers in Singapore for sourcing antique or out-of-print titles.
Borrowing Limits and Overdues (No More Fines)
One of the most significant changes NLB made in recent years was the removal of all overdue fines in 2020. Before that, members paid 15 cents per day for books and 50 cents for DVDs. Now, if you return an item late, the following applies:
- No monetary fine is charged.
- Borrowing privileges are suspended if you accumulate S$20 or more in replacement fees (for items reported lost or damaged beyond repair).
- If an item is overdue for more than 60 days, it is considered lost, and you must pay the replacement cost (usually S$20, S$50 per item, depending on type).
- You can return overdue items at any library branch (including automated book drops) without penalty, the suspension only kicks in after replacement fees accrue.
To avoid suspension, always return or renew items before the due date. The NLB Mobile app sends you reminders 2 days before due date and on the due date itself (if enabled).
Special Collections and What You Cannot Borrow
While NLB libraries are open for public lending, some items are reference-only and cannot be taken home:
- Lee Kong Chian Reference Library (levels 7-13 of the National Library Building), Houses the Singapore and Southeast Asian collections, rare maps, old photographs, and historical documents. These can be viewed on site but not borrowed.
- Rare books and manuscripts, Items published before 1900 or of exceptional historical value are stored in the Rare Materials Collection. Access by appointment only.
- Microfilms and microfiches, Available at the National Library and some regional libraries. Must be used on library premises.
- Course reserves (textbooks), At academic libraries (e.g., NUS, NTU, SMU), not NLB. NLB does not stock current university textbooks for loan. For buying used textbooks, check our dedicated guide.
If you are looking for new books to purchase instead of borrowing, see our article on where to buy new books in Singapore.
Tips for Maximising Your NLB Card
- Use the NLB Mobile app to scan barcodes of books in the library to check reviews and availability, place holds, and renew loans.
- Set up automatic renewal, In your account settings, enable “auto-renew” so that items are automatically renewed if not on hold. This reduces the chance of forgetting a due date.
- Borrow ebooks via Libby, Titles are available instantly, no need to travel. You can also send ebooks to a Kindle (via Libby’s “Read with Kindle” feature).
- Visit the eResources portal regularly, Many premium databases (like PressReader and LinkedIn Learning) are accessible 24/7 and are often underused.
- Check for library events, NLB runs free author talks, storytelling sessions, and workshops. Some libraries have makerspaces (e.g., MakeIT at Tampines Regional Library) that require a library card for booking.
- Donate your old books, NLB accepts donations of clean, recent books. Check the donation guidelines on the NLB website.
If you prefer buying second-hand books to keep, our guide on the best secondhand bookshops in Singapore lists the top independent shops in Chinatown, Bras Basah, and Kampong Glam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NLB card free forever?
Yes for Singapore Citizens and PRs; no annual fees. Foreign pass holders have free membership while their pass is valid. Tourists pay a refundable S$10 deposit.
Can I borrow books on behalf of my child?
Yes. You can link your child’s library card (available free for all children below 18) to your account via the NLB website or at a counter. Then you can borrow for them. Children aged 12 and below can apply for a Child Membership with no separate ID.
What happens if I lose a borrowed book?
Report it immediately to any library or via the app. You will be charged the replacement fee (varies by item, typically S$20, S$50). You can sometimes replace the item with the same edition to avoid paying the fee, check with staff.
Can I use my NLB card to borrow from other libraries (e.g., university libraries)?
Not directly. NLB membership is separate from academic libraries. However, the NUS Library and NTU Library offer access to their collections for a fee (around S$50, S$100 per year for external members). NLB membership does not include that privilege.
For more context on the Singapore book ecosystem, including buying and selling, read our pillar piece: The Complete Guide to Buying and Borrowing Books in Singapore.