By The Eye desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Public library membership in Singapore is free for citizens. It lets you borrow up to 16 physical items and 16 eBooks or audiobooks at a time, each for 21 days. Permanent residents pay a one-off S$10.69 to join. Foreigners living here pay S$43.60 a year or S$3.82 a month, plus the S$10.69 registration fee. eBooks come through the NLB Mobile app or Libby and return themselves automatically.
Quick facts
- Free for Singaporeans; S$10.69 one-off for PRs.
- Foreigners: S$43.60 a year or S$3.82 a month, plus S$10.69 registration.
- Borrow 16 physical items and 16 eBooks at a time.
- Loans last 21 days and can usually be renewed once.
- Reserving a physical item costs S$1.58; eBook reservations are free.
- eMagazines don’t count towards your eBook limit.
What does membership cost?
| Member | Fee |
|---|---|
| Singapore citizens | Free |
| Permanent residents | S$10.69 one-off registration |
| Foreigners living in Singapore | S$43.60 a year or S$3.82 a month, plus S$10.69 registration |
| Foreign students under 21 in MOE schools | Free |
PAssion Card holders can take up Partner Membership, which raises the physical loan limit to 24 items. PRs who hold the card pay no registration fee.
How long can I keep things?
| Item | Loan | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Books and music scores | 21 days | 21 days, if not reserved or overdue |
| eBooks and eAudiobooks | 21 days | 21 days, in the last three days, if not reserved |
| Audio-visual materials | 21 days | None |
How do reservations work?
Reserve through the online catalogue, the NLB Mobile app or a library catalogue station. Physical items cost S$1.58 each to reserve; eBook, eMagazine and eAudiobook reservations are free. When your item is ready, you’re notified by email or in the app, and you must collect it within a few days.
How do eBooks work?
Borrow in the NLB Mobile app and read in your browser, or open the title in the free Libby app to read offline. eBooks return themselves after 21 days, or you can return them early. eMagazines don’t count towards the 16-eBook limit, so you can borrow as many as you like. The app also works as your library card at borrowing stations.
The WahLiao Verdict
For Singaporeans, it’s the best free subscription in the country: 32 items at a time, and eBooks on your phone. Before buying a book you’ll read once, check the catalogue, and reserve an eBook for free rather than a paperback for S$1.58.
Questions people ask
How do I join?
Online with Singpass, or at any public library.
Can I manage my children’s accounts?
Yes. The NLB Mobile app lets you switch between family members’ accounts.
How do I pay a fine?
In the NLB Mobile app, by card or PayPal, or at a library.
Are there Chinese eBooks?
Yes. There are titles in several languages, and NLB has a dedicated Chinese eBook service, Apabi.
Sources: NLB, types of membership and fees and what you can borrow and reserve; NLB, NLB Mobile app guide; onePA on Partner Membership; Little Day Out on eBook apps.
Read next: Free Museum Entry in Singapore · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
One Comment Add yours