eMagazines and eNewspapers

How do I access SPH Media eNewspapers?

NLB patrons with a myLibrary Username may access the SPH Media eNewspapers from the NLB eResources website (https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/main/sphnewspapers) or NLB mobile app.

Visit account.nlb.gov.sg to:

• Sign up for library membership using SingPass or NRIC/FIN
• Create an online myLibrary username
• Retrieve your online myLibrary username
• Reset your password

Which web browsers are supported for accessing SPH Media eNewspapers?

Minimum browser versions supported:

• Chrome – version 90
• Firefox – version 78
• Safri – version 13
• Microsoft Edge – version 91

To ensure the best reading experience, users are encouraged to use the latest version of their browser. Internet Explorer is not supported.

What are the minimum mobile operating system requirements needed to access SPH Media eNewspapers?

Make sure your devices’ operating systems are updated. Apple mobile devices should be on iOS / iPadOS 13 and above. For Android devices, version 8.0 (Oreo) or above is recommended. However, do note that some newspapers may not display optimally on smartphones compared to tablets or desktop/laptop computers.

Minimum device operating systems:

• iOS – version 13
  
• Android – version 8.0
  
   

Which publication titles are available in SPH Media eNewspapers, and what is the archival period available?

SPH Media eNewspapers provides access to the following publications:

• The Straits Times
• The Business Times
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Shin Min Daily News
• Berita Harian
• Tamil Murasu 

For all these publications, you can access up to 13 days of past issues through the SPH Media eNewspapers platform, depending on the publication frequency of the eNewspaper.

Why am I prompted to share my e-mail address with SPH Media? 

NLB patrons will continue to have access to the SPH Media eNewapapers whether or not they consent to share their e-mail addresses with SPH Media.

The e-mail addresses are collected for SPH Media’s analytics, i.e. to measure SPH Media’s site performance such as visit counting from different traffic sources, for internal reporting and product improvement. NLB patrons may choose whether to share their e-mail addresses with SPH Media for these purposes.

How often will I be prompted to share my e-mail address? 

In general, NLB patrons will only be prompted once. Repeat NLB patrons will not encounter the pop-up message again upon login.

I no longer wish to share my email with SPH Media. What should I do? 

Please contact stics@sph.com.sg directly and use "NLB inquiry" as the subject in your e-mail if you wish to change the consent status for sharing your e-mail address with SPH Media.

How do I zoom in/ out to read the eNewspapers on different devices? 

a. Desktop/ laptop
Click on the magnifying glass at the top right hand corner to zoom in or out on your desktop/ laptop. Then, drag the page around to read the segment you want.

b. Mobile device
Place two fingers (usually thumb and index finger) on the screen and spread them apart or pinch them together, to zoom in and out.

If you have problems accessing the eNewspapers, such as with zooming into or turning pages, please contact stics@sph.com.sg and use "NLB inquiry" as the subject. To help with troubleshooting, please indicate your device brand, model, operating system and browser. Thank you.

Why am I unable to access SPH Media eNewspapers from the NLB mobile app and/or asked to subscribe? 

Please try the following workarounds before logging in to NLB’s SPH Media eNewspapers again:

a. Ensure the device has no Adblocker which will affect the functionality of NLB mobile app.

b. If you have an individual subscription to SPH Media epublications or have visited any SPH Media website, log out from the SPH Media app or the SPH Media website, e.g. https://subscribe.sph.com.sg.

c. Check that your version of the NLB mobile app is the most up-to-date. You may uninstall and reinstall the NLB mobile app and login again.

d. If your NLB mobile app is the most up-to-date, clear the cache of the NLB mobile app in your mobile device, before trying again.

What does it mean when I have hit the access limit?

Due to licensing and access control, there is a limit to the number of users who can read the eNewspapers at the same time. Sometimes, users may be logged out when the limit is reached. If this happens, please wait a while, then log in again from the NLB eResources website (https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/main/sphnewspapers) or NLB mobile app.

Examples of message:

What should I do when I am prompted that my login session has expired or received error messages that something went wrong? 

For security purposes, SPH Media eNewspapers sessions expire after a period of inactivity (approximately 1 hour). If you have been idle or have paused reading for a while, you will be logged out automatically. 

Please log in again via the NLB eResources website (https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/main/sphnewspapers) or through the NLB mobile app.

 

 

When I return to the SPH Media eNewspaper, I see a SPH Media login screen. What should I do? 

If the SPH Media login screen appears, it means you are not currently logged in through NLB’s SPH Media eNewspapers subscription. 

Important reminders:

• Ensure the device has no Adblocker which will affect the functionality of NLB mobile app.
  
• Do not log in directly through the SPH Media website.
  
• If you have an individual subscription to SPH Media epublications or have visited any SPH Media website, log out from the SPH Media app or the SPH Media website, e.g. https://subscribe.sph.com.sg.
  
• Always start your session through the NLB eResources website (https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/main/sphnewspapers) or the NLB mobile app.
  
• Clearing browser cache may help resolve persistent issues.
  

 

Refer to the table below for possible issues encountered and suggestion solutions. 

Some Examples of Common SPH Media Login Screen Issues:

Issue	Cause	Suggested Solution
Session Expired	Returning from previous session without re-login.	Close tab/window and login again through the NLB eResources website/NLB Mobile app.
Failed Login/ Network Issues	Unsuccessful login attempt due to poor or unstable internet.	Close tab/window and try again with a stable internet connection. Retry through the NLB eResources website or the NLB mobile app.
Outdated Device	Device running old operating system version.	Update to minimum iOS/iPadOS 13 or Android 8.

What time will the eNewspapers be published?

This depends on SPH Media’s publication times. You can read the eNewspaper on the same day as it is published.

Does NLB's arrangement with SPH Media also allow me to read the articles on ST Online and other SPH Media websites?

No. NLB's SPH Media eNewspapers platform provides access only to the digital versions of print newspapers.

Can I download the SPH Media eNewspapers for offline reading?

SPH Media eNewspapers are not available for download. Please log in with your myLibrary username at https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/main/sphnewspapers or via the NLB mobile app to access the SPH Media eNewspapers online.

Can I download local newspapers published by SPH Media such as The Straits Times, The Business Times and Lianhe Zaobao into my device?

Downloading of SPH Media eNewspaper via NLB’s SPH Media eNewspaper subscription is not possible. The access is only for online reading of the newspapers. 

However, you can choose to download SPH Media eNewspapers via NLB’s PressReader subscription.

Do note that these newspapers in PressReader are not available for download outside of NLB library premises in Singapore due to the geographic restriction set by the publisher.

To download SPH Media eNewspapers using the PressReader app, make sure you are onsite at NLB’s libraries with your device, and that your device is connected to NLB's Wireless@SGx networks.

Step 1:
Connect your device to the Wireless@SGx network in the library.

Step 2:
Launch the PressReader app. Enable PressReader HotSpots under More > Settings > HotSpots.

Step 3:
Search for the newspaper you want. Tap on the downwards arrow next to the name of the newspaper, or tap on the green "Read" button to download it. To access past issues, tap on the cover of the newspaper, then the calendar icon.

Anything you download in the PressReader app can be accessed using the "Downloaded" button at the bottom of the PressReader app. You can download as many SPH Media newspapers as you want when you are at the libraries, just as long as your device has enough storage for the downloaded content. You can then continue to read the downloaded content even when you are away from the library premises.

PressReader is an international digital newsstand on the go:

• Current issues from over 7,000 of the world’s leading publications
• From more than 100 countries
• International papers and magazines – The Economist, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Newsweek, Forbes, T3, Wallpaper*, Marie Claire Ideas, and more!
• Local publications - Female, Singapore Tatler, Home & Decor, and more!
  
   

Where can I get the PressReader app?

You can download the app on iOS and Android devices for free at the Apple app store and Google Play.

For other platforms (e.g. Windows), please check this PressReader guide.

How do I get complimentary access to PressReader?

There are many ways! If you are reading from your mobile device, the best way is through the NLB Mobile app. If you are reading from your computer or laptop, use your Internet browser. If you want to read local newspapers too, you have to access PressReader at our libraries.

Here are the details of each access mode:

1. NLB Mobile App

a. Tap the “eNewspapers & eMagazines” icon on your NLB Mobile app. You will be prompted to download the PressReader app if you do not have it. When you launch the PressReader app through NLB Mobile, you can get one hour of complimentary access to the publications. When the hour is up, you can re-launch PressReader from NLB Mobile to get complimentary access again.

2. Internet browser

a. Go to NLB’s eResources webpage on PressReader. Sign in with your myLibrary username, and click on “PressReader” to gain complimentary access to the publications.

3. NLB libraries

a. Connect your device to the Wireless@SGx network at our libraries. Open either pressreader.com in your browser or the PressReader app. You will have complimentary access to PressReader’s publications for three days, even after you leave the library. However, access to SPH Media newspapers e.g. The Straits Times, The Business Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Shin Min Daily News, Berita Harian, and Tamil Murasu is only available while you are connected to the Wireless@SGx network at any library.

b. Use the multimedia stations at our libraries.

I prefer to access PressReader from my desktop/laptop computer. How can I do this?

Go to NLB’s eResources webpage on PressReader. Sign in with your myLibrary username, and click on “PressReader” to gain complimentary access to the publications. You can share this shortcut - go.gov.sg/nlb-pressreader with your friends.

How do I confirm if I have connected to PressReader and can enjoy complimentary content?

To confirm this, go to the ‘Browse’ tab in the PressReader app and look for a tea cup icon at the bottom right corner of the display. This tea cup icon will appear when you are connected to PressReader through the Wireless@SGx network at NLB libraries, or via the NLB Mobile app.

Tap on the tea cup to confirm that the access is being provided by NLB.

Will I incur any costs when I download content from PressReader?

No, you will not be charged for the content that NLB has subscribed to.

(Do note that downloading content using your mobile data plan may incur charges from your telco for the data used.)

How many eNewspaper and eMagazine titles or issues can I download?

Good news, there's no limit! You can download as many titles and issues as you like.

But make sure your device has enough space to store the downloaded content.

What is the difference between Libby's eMagazines and PressReader's eNewspapers and eMagazines?

PressReader offers both digital newspapers and magazines. Libby has magazines, but not newspapers. The magazine collection in the two apps may overlap. Here are some titles found in Libby and not PressReader:

1. The New Yorker
2. Bon Appetit
3. Wired
4. New Scientist
5. National Geographic
6. Gramophone
   
    

If you want any of the above titles, go to Libby. Click here for the Libby guide.

The other key difference is that once downloaded, you get to keep PressReader magazines in your device for as long as you want. Libby Magazines are automatically returned after 21 days. After that, just borrow again if you still want them.

I’m already at the library and connected to Wireless@SGx, but I cannot see local newspapers in PressReader. What should I do?

Sometimes, the app takes a while to refresh. To speed up the refresh, put your finger at the centre of the screen and drag down. When the app is refreshed, you should see a welcome box informing you that you are at an NLB hotspot.

Alternatively, if you only wish to read SPH Media newspapers online instead of downloading them, you can use the SPH Media eNewspaper service instead of PressReader to access the newspapers. Just log in with your myLibrary username at go.gov.sg/nlb-enews.

Where are the eNewspapers / eMagazines that I have downloaded?

Select the ‘Downloaded’ tab in the PressReader app to view the content that you have downloaded.

I cannot find them. Do I need an internet connection to read the downloaded eNewspapers / eMagazines?

No, you do not need to connect to the Internet for this as the downloaded files can be accessed while your device is offline.

I cannot use the app and I need help. What should I do?

You can email us and tell us about the issue(s) you have encountered. Sending us screenshots related to the issue(s) would help us assist you better!