Nodes

Nodes serve as new curated entry points into the National Library Board's (NLB) wide array of services and collections. They are an extension of learning experiences beyond our physical libraries and aim to bring content and services to wherever people frequent as they go about their daily lives. Nodes are a Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025 (LAB25) initiative.

Current Nodes

1. Transport Nodes

In collaboration with National Reading Movement, the transport nodes are deployed to encourage commuters to read and learn. The curated content on these transport nodes include popular eBooks, latest eMagazines, videos and NLB free access content. The transport nodes are prominently placed at the train station’s platform screen doors. Do Scan and Read on the Go! Enrich your journey while travelling on the train!

Discover popular eBook here.

• Dates running: 13 March 2024 to 27 March 2024
• Locations: Admiralty train station, Ang Mo Kio train station, Bukit Batok train station, Commonwealth train station, Aljunied train station and Kallang train station.

2. Happy Meal Readers Storytelling Sessions

Ground control to young astronauts, get ready for a cosmic journey with NLB and McDonald's this March school holidays! Discover space themed NLB eResources and storytelling sessions* on Neil Armstrong's space journey at participating McDonald's restaurants with NLB and McDonald’s storytellers! Don't forget to redeem limited edition stickers when you scan the QR codes on our standees and posters as well!

Check out our curated collection of space-themed eResources for children here.

*For registered participants, limited slots available.

• Dates running: 9 to 17 March 2024 (on selected dates)
• Location: At participating McDonald’s restaurants

3. Garfield x Mr Kiasu Library

The Garfield X Mr Kiasu Library is a one-of-a-kind pop-up library at The Centrepoint. This unique crossover sees Singapore’s local comic icon, Mr Kiasu inviting Garfield to Singapore to try the country’s signature dish, Laksa. Visitors will have an immersive experience as they enter the space, designed as Mr Kiasu’s flat. The pop-up will showcase Garfield titles, the entire Mr Kiasu collection, alongside eTitles on topics such as cooking, wellness and lifestyle. A mix of digital and physical resources gives visitors the opportunity to explore and borrow the eTitles, as well as browse the physical books while making themselves at home in Mr Kiasu’s flat.

Check out Garfield: A Big Fat Hairy Adventure here.

• Dates running: 23 October 2023 to 17 March 2024 (last day of operations)
• Location: The Centrepoint, #01-33K (near Gastro+)

4. Comics Library

The National Library Board (NLB), in partnership with Anchorpoint, opened a new pop-up Comics Library in September 2023, with thousands of titles that will cater to all age groups. The Comics Library is a full self-service library featuring NLB’s Grab-n-Go service following the success of the pop-up Manga Library at City Square Mall. Located on the first floor near Anchorpoint’s main entrance, the Comics Library is adorned with playful and vibrant vintage comics, inspired by the pop art movement of the 1950s and 60s. The library has dedicated sections for children, Mother Tongue Language titles, and a Reference Section for patrons to browse. Seating areas, including bean bags, are also available for patrons to use. Featuring manga, comics, and graphic novels, the collection will gradually grow to over 11,000 titles by early 2024.

Love comics? Discover our curated collection of superhero e-titles here.

• Dates running: September 2023 to September 2024
• Location: 370 Alexandra Rd, #01-26/27 Anchorpoint, Singapore 159953

5. Node at Singapore Maritime Gallery

Node @ Singapore Maritime Gallery offers informational write-ups on the past, present and future of the Singapore Maritime. Visitors can also discover curated eReads and videos for further exploration.

• Dates running: Ongoing
• Location: Singapore Maritime Gallery, Marina South Pier Level 2, 31 Marina Coastal Drive Singapore 018988

6. Node at Esplanade

Node at Esplanade features three local personalities and their favourite reads at Esplanade over the span of a year. Look out for the wallpaper node at Esplanade, Level 4 and scan the QR codes on the wallpaper node to check out their book recommendations!

Currently featured: Our second personality, Sharon Au, formerly known for her role as a TV actress and host, shares 5 of her favourite reads and tells us why. Check out which book has guided her through her career metamorphosis here.

• Dates running: October 2023 to September 2024
• Location: Esplanade, Level 4

7. Science Centre Going Viral

Going Viral is an interactive exhibition that raises awareness around pandemic management, showcasing the significance of STEM in countering health crises and the evolution of science in pandemic intervention. The exhibition is free and open to the public at the Science Centre before travelling to other facilities such as Changi Airport Terminal 3 and NLB's libraries. NLB has supported the exhibition by providing a curated collection of ebooks and photographs about the pandemic from its image crowdsourcing platform PictureSG.

• Dates running: August 2023 onwards
• Location: Science Centre, Changi Airport Terminal 3, NLB Libraries

8. Science Centre Light

Travelling Light is a travelling exhibition that aims to stimulate students' interest in STEM and encourage self-directed learning. The exhibition showcases the scientific properties of light through scientific inquiry, interactives, and demonstrations of everyday applications. NLB has supported this exhibition by providing a curated list of eResources, which includes books, videos, and DIY activities about light.

• Dates running: April 2023 onwards
• Location: Various schools and NLB Libraries

9. Node at Changi Cottage

The National Library Board (NLB) and Civil Service Club (CSC) have unveiled a Node at Changi Cottage to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew (LKY100). The Cottage is historically significant as it was where Mr Lee spent time reflecting and developing plans for Singapore's future after independence from Malaysia in 1965. The Node is a tribute to Mr Lee's life and contributions to Singapore, and visitors can learn more about him and his legacy. The Node features an artistic black-and-white impression of Mr and Mrs Lee at the Cottage during the declaration of Singapore's independence, and QR codes provide access to books on Mr Lee, including autobiographies and biographies.

Note: This Cottage is not open for public viewing. It is for rental only.

Discover more here: Singapore separates from Malaysia and becomes independent.

• Dates running: Ongoing
• Location: 30 Nethevaron Road, Civil Service Club @ Changi 2
• Opening Hours: This Cottage is for rental only.

Past Nodes

1. Manga Library@City Square Mall

Launched in February 2023, the Manga Library@City Square Mall was NLB’s first manga library, where patrons can borrow from a colourful and vast collection of 6,000 Japanese graphic books and comics, enjoy a wide variety of creative digital manga on e-Reads screens, and discover more about the Singapore comics scene at the exhibition space.

As a fully self-service “Grab-n-Go” library at a mall, patrons could also interact with the Mr Kiasu robot concierge, based on the lead character in the popular local comic series. Created specially by NLB in collaboration with partners Dex-Lab, a local social robotics company, and one of the co-creators of Mr Kiasu, Johnny Lau, the Mr Kiasu robot concierge, programmed with an AI-generated voice, recommended books and provide basic instructions on using the Grab-n-Go library.

Discover one of the most popular manga series, Fairy Tail, here.

• Dates run: February 2023 to August 2023
• Location: City Square Mall, Level 4

2. Nodes at Parks

Nodes at Parks was a series of interactive installations that roved to parks and gardens across Singapore over the a few months. Through these Nodes, people could easily access NLB’s e-resources on sustainability, learn more ways to lead a sustainable lifestyle, and contribute to the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Nodes at Parks was a collaborative project spearheaded by NLB together with community partners, green entrepreneurs and schools, and was an initiative is supported by the SG Eco Fund.

Want to find out more about sustainability? Check out e-book Attainable Sustainable here.

• Dates run: October 2022 to August 2023
• Location: Gardens by the Bay, Jurong Lake Gardens, East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, City Square Mall

3. F&B Nodes

NLB's partnership with BreadTalk Group brought the NLB’s rich resources of content and knowledge to eateries around Singapore through our F&B Nodes. Visitors could access these resources by making a purchase of drinks at any of the selected Food Republic and Food Junction outlets or any item at the selected Toast Box or BreadTalk outlets. Qualifying purchases received a free mini-book keychain that led to NLB's resources. Visitors could discover books covering a wide range of topics, from DIY food ideas such as fermentation for beginners, sourdough-making, and growing your own microgreens, to resources tracing the rich, cultural history of food in Singapore.

Learn how to grow your own microgreens through this e-book.

• Dates run: March 2022 to April 2022
• Location: At several BreadTalk Group outlets across the island

4. Jewel Nodes

NLB partnered with Japanese minimalist lifestyle brand MUJI to roll out a series of haikus in malls across Singapore. NLB has worked with MUJI to create a Wall of Haikus at Jewel Changi Airport and Plaza Singapura that held 30 uniquely-designed bookmarks inspired by Japanese block printing. Each bookmark featured a haiku and a QR code that links to an NLB eBook. Members of the public could take a haiku bookmark and through it, find a book to read too.

You can read haikus here too.

• Dates run: December 2021 to June 2022
• Location: Jewel Changi Airport and Plaza Singapura

5. Mall Nodes

Through Mall Nodes, the public could discover various NLB eResources through immersive wallpapers and lift decals in 12 malls, such as Bedok Mall, IMM, Junction 8, Parkway Parade and PLQ Mall. This was be followed by the launch of The Experience Lab – a journey into NLB’s rich collections through larger-than-life installations – which roved between 10 malls from October 2021 to December 2021. Visitors could reignite the joy of learning and discovery in simple and surprising ways. From an audio-visual carousel ride that transports one to Korea, to nature-themed sculptures, these installations were opportunities of learning and discovery at malls throughout Singapore. This was part of a collaboration between NLB and mall partners CapitaLand malls, Lendlease, SingPost Centre Mall, Frasers and JTC to bring learning and discovery into everyday spaces.

• Dates run: October 2021 to June 2022
• Locations: Plaza Singapura, Jem, Waterway Point, PLQ Mall, Fusionopolis One, 313@Somerset, VivoCity, Westgate, Funan, JCube, Parkway Parade, IMM, Junction 8, and SingPost Mall Centre

6. Stellar@TE2

Step into a world of imagination with our colourful mural wall node at Steller@TE2. This Node features eight QR codes that lead to recommended eReads for kids, with the e-titles refreshed monthly. Visitors can discover these eReads and stand a chance to win $20 worth of shopping eVouchers through a monthly lucky draw.

Discover eReads for kidshere.

• Dates running: 21 July 2023 to 31 December 2023
• Location: Stellar@TE2, Woodlands MRT Station (TEL), #B1-13

7. Book Nodes

LAB25 Book Nodes offer a unique opportunity to indulge in everyday literary experiences. These Book Nodes are located at various cafés in Singapore, providing visitors with a chance to browse through a curated selection of titles while enjoying a cup of coffee. Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of literature and take their favourite new reads home with them.

• Dates running: Till 31 December 2023
• Location: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and Temasek Shophouse

8. National Library Grab-n-Go

The Grab-n-Go Library at the National Library is the first time NLB has piloted a self-checkout service via Ultra High Frequency gantries, making borrowing of books easier than ever. This self-checkout system enables patrons to pick up a book from the library and it will be automatically checked-out as they exit through the gantry. This pilot project is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to enhance the experience for its patrons under its LAB25 (Library and Archives Blueprint 2025) plan. 

With the opening of the revamped Central Public Library, the Grab-n-Go service, one of the replacement services during the revamp, and Study Lounge at the National Library Building (Level 5) will be permanently closed from 9 February 2024. Check out the full suite of NLB services at Central Public Library located at B1, and stay tuned for updates on the refreshed space on Level 5.

Dates running: May 2022 to 9 February 2024 (Last day of operations)

Location: National Library, Level 5 

10. SMRT Node

With SMRT Nodes, daily commutes on Singapore’s public transport system become learning journeys. Jointly launched by the National Library Board (NLB) and SMRT Corporation (SMRT), SMRT Nodes are located at various MRT train station platforms and bus interchanges in Singapore. These Nodes, which are available from September 2023 to March 2024, will provide SMRT commuters quick and convenient access to a selection of e-magazine titles such as TIME, National Geographic, PC World, Reader’s Digest, and NLB’s publication BiblioAsia, as well as NLB’s YouTube videos, and e-books. With titles carefully curated to cater to commuters of all ages and backgrounds, most of the content will be refreshed monthly so that commuters have something new to look forward to.

Discover e-magazine TIME via Overdrive here.

• Dates running: September 2023 to March 2024
• Location: Woodlands Train Station and Integrated Transport Hub, Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub, Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange, Bishan Train Station, Orchard Train Station and Tiong Bahru Train Station