Grab-n-Go Libraries

Grab-n-Go is NLB’s automated self-checkout innovation, with gantries that leverage on Ultra-High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification technology to enable the seamless borrowing of books. Grab-n-Go is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to enhance the experience for its patrons under its LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025).


Grab-n-go at National Library Building

Address
100 Victoria Street
National Library Building
Level 5, Study Lounge
Singapore 188064

Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday: 9.00 am – 9.00 pm
Closed at 5.00 pm on eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. Closed on Public Holidays.

 

About
The Grab-n-Go service was first rolled out on 18 May 2022 at the Study Lounge on Level 5 of the National Library Building. At this Grab-n-Go library, patrons can conveniently check out books from a collection of about 5,000 English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil adult titles. The collection includes fiction titles and popular non-fiction categories such as Art, Business, Comics, Cookery and Health.

Any patron with an NLB eCard (found within the NLB Mobile app), or any NLB-compliant card, can enter the library via the entrance gantries. Patrons not carrying any library items can leave automatically via the exit gantries. Patrons who wish to borrow library items should follow these steps:

  1. Step on the footprints and hold the library items in your hands (not placed within a bag).
  2. Scan your library-compliant ID card or NLB eCard.
  3. Confirm the loan of the detected items on the screen.
  4. Walk out with your books checked out to your account.

 

Directions & Facilities
By MRT
Bugis, City Hall, Bras Basah MRT stations

By Bus
145, 197, 32, 51, 63, 7, 80, 2, 7, 12, 33, 130, 133, 960, 56, C3, SMRT 980, SMRT 520, SMRT 851, NR7 & NR8



Address
180 Kitchener Road
City Square Mall, #04-11/12/13
Singapore 208539

Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday (including Public Holidays): 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

 

About
The Manga Library@City Square Mall is NLB's first fully self-service Grab-n-Go pop-up library in a mall. It is also NLB's first-ever Manga library, featuring 5,000 manga books for patrons to browse and borrow. From 20 February 2023 to end-August 2023, patrons can check out this pop-up library, and also have fun there with a Mr Kiasu robot that can recommend books and provide basic instructions on using Grab-n-Go.

The library also offers a showcase of local comics donated by local comic collectors to complement the Manga collection, as well as digital copies from the eManga collection available for borrowing on the NLB Mobile app and eResources website at https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg.

The Manga library comprises both a lending collection and a reference collection. Items in the lending collection are available for loan.

Any patron with an NLB eCard (found within the NLB Mobile app), or any NLB-compliant card, can enter the library via the entrance gantries. Patrons not carrying any library items can automatically leave via the exit gantries. Patrons who wish to borrow library items should follow these steps:

  1. Wait for the exit gantry to be available to step in, then walk through the first set of gantry flaps.
  2. Step in and hold the library items in your hands (not placed in a bag).
  3. Confirm the loan of the detected items on the screen by scanning your library-compliant ID card or NLB eCard.
  4. The second set of gantry flaps will open, and you can walk out with your loaned books.

 

Directions & Facilities
By MRT
NE8 Farrer Park MRT Station Exit I (North-East MRT line)

By Bus
Kitchener Road (Before Tai Hoe Hotel, 07231): 21, 125, 130
Serangoon Road (Outside Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, 07211): 21, 23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 125, 130, 139, 141, 147, 857, NR6