Singapore's National Library Board runs 27 public libraries serving over 5.5 million registered members. Registration is free, takes under five minutes online, and unlocks access to physical borrowing, digital eBooks, online newspapers, films and professional courses.

Who Can Register

NLB membership is open to three categories of people:

  • Singapore citizens and PRs — register online instantly using SingPass MyInfo. No documents required.
  • Foreigners on valid long-term passes (EP, S Pass, LTVP, DP) — register online using your FIN number and pass details.
  • Children under 15 — parents or guardians register on their behalf through the NLB Mobile app or at any library counter.

Short-term visitors on tourist visas cannot register for a standard membership, but Singapore Polytechnic and NUS students may access resources through their institutional accounts.

How to Register Online (2024)

01

Go to account.nlb.gov.sg

Click "Register" and choose between SingPass login (for citizens and PRs) or manual registration with FIN (for foreigners).

02

Verify Your Identity

Citizens and PRs use MyInfo — your details populate automatically. Foreigners enter their FIN, date of birth and pass expiry date manually.

03

Set Up Your Account

Choose a username and PIN. Your NLB ID number is issued immediately. Note it down — you'll need it to log in to digital platforms like Libby and PressReader.

04

Download NLB Mobile

The official NLB Mobile app (iOS/Android) acts as your digital library card. Use it to borrow physical books via self-service kiosks without carrying a physical card.

Physical library cards are still issued at any branch counter with your ID. They're useful for libraries without NFC kiosks, though most branches now support the app.

Borrowing Quotas and Loan Periods

Standard borrowing limits as of 2024:

  • Up to 8 physical items per card at any one time
  • Standard loan period: 21 days
  • Renewals: up to 2 times per item (if no reservations pending)
  • Reservations: SGD 1.55 per item, regardless of membership tier

Books can be borrowed and returned at any NLB branch — you don't need to return them to the library where you borrowed them. This makes the system particularly convenient for daily commuters.

Fees, Fines and Waivers

Late return fees are SGD 0.15 per item per day for adult materials, SGD 0.10 for children's items. Fees are capped at the replacement cost of the item.

Members with active SkillsFuture Credit accounts or who are enrolled in MOE schools are automatically eligible for full membership benefits with no annual fee.

For membership registration, there is no fee. The SGD 10.50 annual fee that existed prior to 2014 was abolished — NLB membership is genuinely free.

Family Membership and Dependants

Each family member requires their own NLB account. There is no family bundle or shared quota. However, borrowing on behalf of a child is straightforward: parents can see all family members' loans in a single app profile by linking accounts via SingPass Family App.

Domestic helpers and foreign dependants holding a valid FIN are eligible to register independently on their own long-term pass details.

Membership for Foreign Dependants

This is a common point of confusion. Dependent Pass (DP) and Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) holders can register for full NLB membership. They receive identical borrowing rights to Singapore citizens, including access to all digital platforms. The only difference is that their membership expiry is tied to their pass validity — it needs to be renewed when the pass is renewed.

What Membership Gives You Access To

  • Physical borrowing at all 27 public libraries
  • eBooks and audiobooks via Libby (OverDrive)
  • Global newspapers and magazines via PressReader
  • Documentary and film streaming via Kanopy
  • Professional courses via LinkedIn Learning
  • NLB eNewspapers archive (Singapore historical newspapers from 1827 onwards)
  • Ancestry and genealogy databases
  • Business and academic reference databases

Access to most digital platforms is via the NLB website under "Digital Resources" or directly through the Libby app using your NLB login.