28 Best Public Libraries In Singapore For Kids & Adults

Looking for a free activity to do with the kids? Head to a public library near you, where you’ll find workshops, children’s picture books, storytelling sessions and more. Some even have activity stations and an indoor playground, too!

With so many amazing public libraries in Singapore, you can easily find one near you! While our little bookworms adore their bedtime stories, finding space in our teeny apartments to fit in all those picture books gets a bit tricky sometimes. Luckily, Singapore is blessed with some fabulous public libraries that are brimming with children’s literature, making it easy for you to borrow books without having to buy them. We round up all of the best libraries in Singapore to check out with the kiddos for a free weekend activity with the kids! If the book your little one is looking for isn’t available at your local library, head to Singapore’s ebooks library–with more than 2.2 million ebooks available to download, let the reading fun begin (the book selection is pretty up-to-date, so you’ll find plenty to love, too, Mama)! If your older kids need a quiet place to study and finish their homework, you can reserve a seat online or on the app through NLB seat booking at a library near you.

Read more: Best Kids’ Activities In Singapore

Jump to:
Kid-Friendly Public Libraries in Central Singapore:
– Bishan Public Library
– Central Public Library
– library@harbourfront
– Toa Payoh Public Library

Kid-Friendly Public Libraries in East Singapore:
– Bedok Public Library
– Geylang East Public Library
– Marine Parade Public Library
– Pasir Ris Public Library
– Tampines Regional Library

Kid-Friendly Public Libraries in North-East Singapore:
– Ang Mo Kio Public Library
– Cheng San Public Library
– Punggol Regional Library
– Sembawang Public Library
– Sengkang Public Library

Kid-Friendly Public Libraries in North Singapore:
– Serangoon Public Library
– Woodlands Public Library
– Yishun Public Library

Kid-Friendly Public Libraries in West Singapore:
– Bukit Panjang Public Library
– Bukit Batok Public Library
– Choa Chu Kang Public Library
– Clementi Public Library
– Jurong Regional Library
– Jurong West Public Library
– Queenstown Public Library

Other public libraries in Singapore:
– MOLLY, NLB’s Mobile Library
– library@chinatown
– library@orchard (Library at Orchard)
– National Archives of Singapore

How much is an NLB Membership?
To borrow books from a public library, you’ll need an NLB library membership, which is free for Singaporeans but chargeable for PRs (one-time registration fee of $10.59) and Foreigners (one-time registration fee of $10.59 and an annual fee of $43.20).

How many books can be borrowed from a library in Singapore?
The Basic NLB Membership allows you to borrow 16 physical items and 16 eBooks for 21 days. Additionally, PAssion Card holders may borrow up to 24 physical items and 16 eBooks. If you need more time to finish the books, you can extend the due date once for another 21 days.

eBooks and Audiobooks from the NLB
Those who prefer to go digital can download the new Libby app, which replaced OverDrive in 2023, and allows you to borrow and download eBooks and audiobooks from the NLB library. You can easily find the next book in a series and even create custom tags that will notify you when new issues of your favourite books or magazines are released. Make sure you turn on your notifications for the Libby app, so you’ll get push notifications on your mobile device for expiring loans, holds, and more.

NLB Public Library opening hours
Most public libraries in Singapore open daily from 10am or 11am to 9pm. However, do take note of early closures at 5pm on the eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. The public libraries are also closed on public holidays in Singapore.

Kid-Friendly Public Libraries In Singapore:

1. Ang Mo Kio Library

Ang Mo Kio Library spans two levels and has a collection size of about 259,000 reading materials. In addition to a wide variety of books and magazines in all four of Singapore’s official languages, Ang Mo Kio Library carries a comprehensive collection of print and non-print materials in Tamil! The children’s section is decked out with kid-friendly tables and chairs for kiddos to sit down and pore over the books available.

Storytelling sessions: Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month, 3pm – 3:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Ang Mo Kio Library, 4300 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, Singapore 569842, Website

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2. Bedok Library

Bedok Library at Heartbeat@Bedok is among some great amenities with sports and recreational facilities, a community club, a polyclinic, an integrated daycare facility for the elderly and retail spaces for all age groups. The Early Literacy Collections here have been placed with young readers in mind, all shelved on easily-accessible low shelves, grouped in 5 categories: Sense & Sensation, Concepts, Languages, Poetry & Rhymes and Emergent Reader, so parents can select materials to support their child’s development. There’s also a great Malay collection for adults, featured in a more prominent space to highlight the unique, wide-ranging and varied selection of books in Malay.

Storytelling sessions: 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month, 3pm – 3:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Bedok Library, 11 Bedok North Street 1, #02-03 & #03-04 Heartbeat@Bedok, Singapore 469662, Website

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3. Bishan Library

Bishan Library is well known for its architecture. It looks like a treehouse with its distinctive coloured pods! At the basement level, the Children’s Collection has materials suitable for children from newborns up to 12 years old. The NLB collection includes children’s magazines, books for babies, picture books for preschoolers, as well as stories, fairy tales and informational books for older children!

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 3.30 pm – 4.00 pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Bishan Library, 5 Bishan Place #01-01, Singapore 579841, Website

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4. Bukit Panjang Library

Having undergone extensive renovations in 2017 (including a direct connection to Downtown Line MRT – so convenient!), the huge Bukit Panjang Library has two wings. One wing is dedicated to kiddos, how cool is that?! A particular highlight of the Bukit Panjang Public Library is the “Stories Come Alive Room”, which makes use of images, lights and sound effects.

Storytelling sessions: Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 5pm – 5:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Bukit Panjang Library, 1 Jelebu Road, #04-04 & 16/17 Bukit Panjang Plaza, Singapore 677743, Website

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5. Bukit Batok Library

Bukit Batok Library has just reopened, and it now features a unique cave-like interior inspired by the nearby Little Guilin in Bukit Batok Town Park, one of our favourite nature parks in Singapore! As you walk through the new space, you’ll notice textured, cave-like walls paired with a sensory experience of sounds that mimic everyday neighbourhood life. The library is now three storeys high (double its original size!) and includes new spaces such as relaxation rooms and interactive exhibits. One of the zones, the Sound Pavilion, is designed to resemble a tea house, complete with cosy seating areas, ceramic teapots on display and warm cove lighting!

Storytelling sessions: Saturdays, 11:30am – 12pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Bukit Batok Library, 1 Bukit Batok Central, #03-01 West Mall, Singapore 658713, Website

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6. Central Library

One of the newer features of the huge Central Library is the Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium which features biodiversity-themed learning spaces, including a Sea Jelly Zone, with a video projection of sea jellies from the S.E.A. Aquarium, an Intertidal Zone, with interpretive displays about organisms living on marine shorelines and the Submarine Room, where educational programmes are held. Our favourite spot is the huge floor-to-ceiling column with coral-like features! There is a range of engaging and interactive zones throughout the library where kids can get up close with specimens of shark jaws and coral skeletons. Children can look forward to new monthly programmes on marine biology and conservation in a submarine-style space — meet real-life divers and aquarists, join intertidal animal art workshops, storytelling sessions, upcycling workshops, and more. The library also features gamification kiosks with features such as an interactive digital installation where kids can colour an avatar from NLB’s well-loved Book Bugs series and see them appear on the projection screen.

Storytelling Sessions: check the list of programmes here.
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Central Library Singapore, #B1-01, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064, Website

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7. Cheng San Library (Temporarily Closed)

This library in Hougang could easily be mistaken for an art gallery due to its design. It’s also really conducive for families too, with a brightly-coloured children’s section, and The Baby Corner, which boasts comfortable furniture for children and parents to sit and read together. The Children’s Section is garden-themed, with materials suitable for children from the ages of 0 to 12. If you’ve got tweens and teens, don’t miss The Young People’s collection, which offers materials suitable for teens from the ages of 13 to 19!

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, 3:30pm – 4pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm (Temporarily closed)

Cheng San Library, 90 Hougang Avenue 10 #03-11 Hougang Mall, Singapore 538766, Website

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8. Choa Chu Kang Library

Choa Chu Kang Library reopened in 2021 after an expansion to house an indoor garden on level 5! There’s so much space to be immersed in greenery and natural sunlight now, with its own hydroponics showcase, and a community wall showing tips and knowledge on sustainable living. The kids’ section is nicely decked out with an indoor tree structure and ample seating.

Storytelling Sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 5pm – 5:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Choa Chu Kang Library, 21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4 #04-01/02 and #05-06 Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, Singapore 689812, Website

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9. Clementi Library

Conveniently located within Clementi Mall, Clementi Library was the first library in Singapore to feature interactive digital storytelling kiosks, which provide a colourful, novel way for kiddos to interact with stories (for instance, they can take quizzes at the end to test their own recollections!).

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 5pm – 5:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Clementi Library, 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West, #05-13/14/15 The Clementi Mall, Singapore 129588, Website

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10. Geylang East Library

Geylang East Library is famous for its plethora of free children’s activities on weekends. Pop by for Super Storytastic reading sessions, magic shows, baking workshops and much much more. We love that there’s a dedicated babies’ corner as well as a cool “Green Reading Space” that kiddos find very inviting.

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, 3:30pm – 4pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Geylang East Library, 50 Geylang East Ave 1, Singapore 389777, Website

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11. Harbourfront Library

Harbourfront Library at VivoCity provides a light and airy space with amazing views overlooking Sentosa–making it not only a reading space for residents but a place where you can come and learn. The large children’s area encourages young readers to learn through technology in the very cool Augmented Reality room, which brings stories to life. Plus, there’s the Tinker Truck makerspace (geared towards children ages 3 to 9) for crafting and puzzle activities. With a huge Adult and Teen library, as well as a fabulous digital collection of about 480,000 eBooks, this library is a one-stop shop for all your family’s reading needs.

Storytelling Sessions: Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 4pm – 4:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Harbourfront Library, 1 Harbourfront Walk, #03-05 VivoCity, Singapore 098585, Website

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12. Jurong Library

The largest public library in Singapore at 12,020 square metres, Jurong  Library offers heaps of super cool dedicated spaces for kids and teens. The Early Literacy Library collection (the first in Singapore!) carries a wide range of books and digital materials geared towards children in the under-3 and 4-to-6 age groups. The dedicated Teen section, “Verging All Teens (V.A.T.)”, was created with actual teen input and carries cool genres like comics and graphic novels. V.A.T. also hosts open-mic nights and other performances to showcase young talent.

Storytelling sessions: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 12:30pm – 1pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Jurong Library, 21 Jurong East Central 1, Singapore 609732, Website

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13. Jurong West Library

The Children’s collection at Jurong West Public Library has materials suitable for children aged 1 to 12 years old and is located at Level 2 of the library. In addition to a wide variety of children’s books, audio-visual and magazines in all four of Singapore’s official languages, this floor also carries an extensive selection of Parenting collection catering to the needs of mamas and dads! There’s also a Young People’s Collection located at level 3, with a wide variety of materials suitable for teens aged 13 to 19 years old.

Storytelling sessions: Every 3rd and 4th Saturday of the month, 3:30pm – 4pm (4 – 6yrs).
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am -9pm

Jurong West Library, 60 Jurong West Central 3 #01-03, Singapore 648346, Website

Read more: Best Educational Games & Apps For Kids

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14. Marine Parade Library (Temporarily closed)

Note: Marine Parade Library will be closed from 9 May 2022 to 2025 for renovations. List of alternative libraries and reading corners available here.
Keeping tots occupied with interactive, multimedia exhibits, as well as stacks of newer DVDs… Marine Parade Library is definitely the place to go for a (cheap) movie night with the fam! There’s a colourful and engaging children’s reading corner, and a dynamic programme space offering kid-friendly workshops on everything from Preparing for the PSLE to exploring Robotics!

Storytelling sessions: none for now until it reopens!
Library Opening Hours: Temporarily closed

Marine Parade Library, 278 Marine Parade Road #01-02, Singapore 449282, Website

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15. Queenstown Library

If your kiddos are true bookworm types, then you’ll love the offerings at Queenstown Library. With regular craft sessions, movie screenings and gardening, to name just a few, this library has a ton of fun activities for kids of all ages.

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am – 11am (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Queenstown Library, 53 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149297, Website

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16. Pasir Ris Library

Pasir Ris Library conveniently sits on the top floor of White Sands Shopping Mall just by the Pasir Ris MRT Station and features an early literary section for young, emerging readers to have easy access to simple children’s books. We all know that teens need their space–so they’ll enjoy Teen Mezzanine with acrylic pods where they can enjoy quiet reading time (or perhaps catch up on their social media feed). Young parents can pop by the Parenting Section with plenty of valuable resources about toddler tantrums, sleep training, baby-led weaning and all of the topics you’ll probably have questions about!

Storytelling sessions: Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 3:30pm – 4pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Pasir Ris Library, 1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3, #04-01/06, White Sands, Singapore 518457, Website

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17. Punggol Library

The Punggol Library within One Punggol has dedicated offerings for children on two levels (open daily from 12pm to 9pm). Don’t miss the Spark!Lab™, a DIY tinkering space for children (aged 7 to 12 years) to participate in hands-on activities and create innovative solutions to different challenges. TinkerTots is where children (aged 6 years and below) can play with educational toys, while the Toy Library offers educational toys, puppets and costumes for children (aged 6 years and below). Older kids (7-12 years old) will love the Storyteller Cove features interactive experiences for children to learn about the writing process and create their own stories with DIY activity kits and prop-making, while the Stories Come Alive Room uses moving images and text, plus light and sound effects to make storytelling an immersive and interactive experience for children aged 4 to 10 years. Levels 3 to 5 offers programmes and activities for teenagers and adults that cover areas such as business, technology and local literature.

Storytelling Sessions: Every Friday, 3pm – 3:30pm (4 – 6 yrs) and Every Sunday, 1:30pm – 2pm (7 – 12 yrs) 
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Punggol Library, 1 Punggol Drive, One Punggol, #01-12, Singapore 828629, Website

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18. Sembawang Library

Owing to Sembawang’s rich history and naval connections, the Sembawang library has a modern nautical and maritime design theme – including fun, container-shaped spaces in the children’s area. There’s a cosy and colourful babies and toddlers area with low seating and tactile furniture that’s perfect for snuggling up with a story. There’s also an Early Literacy Collection that focuses on five key areas – playing, talking, singing, reading and writing – that are vital to children’s learning and development. The Young Readers Area for kids ages 7 to 9 features Interactive Digital Storytelling Kiosks, and there’s a special reading deck open seating area especially for parents and kids. Sembawang Library also has a thematic storytelling session every third Wednesday of the month relating to popular story categories like folk tales, friendship and festivals.

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 4th Saturday of the month, 11:30am – 12pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Sembawang Library, 30 Sembawang Drive, #05-01 Sun Plaza, Singapore 757713, Website

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19. Sengkang Library

Designed for families to read and bond together, the Early Literacy Area at Sengkang Library is the perfect place for little ones to take their first steps into an exciting world of stories and ideas. The Tween Space is an experiential learning environment for children aged 10 to 14.

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 3:30pm – 4pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Sengkang Library, 1 Sengkang Square #03-28 & #04-19 Compass One, Singapore 545078, Website

Read more: Kid-Friendly Guide To Sengkang

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20. Serangoon Library

Serangoon Library is located on the rooftop of NEX (handily right by one of our favourite mall playgrounds in Singapore!). If you’re ok with some screen time, Serangoon Library also has a number of digital gaming programs and PC gaming stations to encourage learning and social bonding through play.

Storytelling sessions: Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 3pm – 3:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Serangoon Library, 23 Serangoon Central, #04-82/83 NEX, Singapore 556083, Website

Read more: March & Easter School Holiday Activities

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21. Tampines Library

The super cool, futuristic Tampines Library features a special Children’s Chinese collection along with extra storytelling sessions and an Early Literacy Library especially geared toward little ones under age 3 (in fact, the entire third floor is just for kids ages 0-6). Tampines Library also has culinary studios and an indoor playground, Jolly Jungle, located on level three of the library.

Storytelling sessions: Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 4pm – 4:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am – 9pm

Tampines Library, 1 Tampines Walk, #02-01 Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 528523, Website

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22. Toa Payoh Library

“Mama, there’s a ship in the library!” is the first thing you’re likely to hear from your tikes when you first walk into this Toa Payoh Library gem. With the children’s section on the first floor (and built like a ship with a Treasure Island theme!), the Toa Payoh Library will keep little ones busy with their regular storytimes. Fun!

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month, 11am – 11:30am (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Toa Payoh Library, 6 Toa Payoh Central, Singapore 319191, Website

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23. Woodlands Library

Looking for an interactive library that is as fun as taking a stroll in the park? You know they have one in Woodlands! With an Enchanted Tree and Window to the World display to get curious kids excited about reading, plus an entire children’s level that has been designed like a park, the Woodlands Library really goes above and beyond for littlies. They even have their very own NLB catalogue (Kids Cat) so juniors can search for their own books. Woodlands also houses the Asian Children’s Literature (ACL) Collection, which holds about 8,000 items – including rare publications dating back a hundred years – and aims to raise awareness and promote a deeper understanding of Asian children’s literature, as well as Asian culture and heritage. Woodlands Library is also home to the largest Tamil literary collection with more than 20,000 Tamil materials.

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 3pm – 3:30pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

Woodlands Library, 900 South Woodlands Drive, #01-03 Woodlands Civic Centre, Singapore 730900, Website

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24. Yishun Library

We love the bright and spacious area of Yishun Library, where little ones can read all of their favourite books and discover new ones! Yishun Library is located on the top floor of Northpoint City Shopping Mall, which makes this a great place to keep the kids occupied if you need to get some shopping done. In line with the digital age we live in, this public library has virtual bookshelves, where you can easily borrow books with QR codes and a Digital Learning Zone that allows you to listen to audio lectures or even tour a virtual museum!

Storytelling sessions: Every 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month, 11:30am – 12pm (4 – 6 yrs)
Library Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Yishun Library, 930 Yishun Avenue 2, North Wing, Northpoint City, #04-01, Singapore 769098, Website

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25. MOLLY: NLB’s Mobile Library

Has NLB’s Molly the Bus (a mobile kids’ library) visited your neighbourhood? The MOLLY fleet of one big bus and two mini-buses carries 3,000 books on board and travels all over Singapore, primarily to special education centres and preschools, as well as neighbourhoods. Librarians engage kiddos with storytelling sessions, and customised child-friendly book stations allow little ones to borrow and return books all by themselves. It’s a wonderful initiative by NLB to get children excited about reading and introduce the magic of discovering new books at the library.

Keep a lookout for the next MOLLY, NLB’s Mobile Library sighting on Facebook!

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Other public libraries in Singapore:

26. Chinatown Library

Want a fun educational experience to teach your kids about Chinese arts and culture? Head to Chinatown Library, the first volunteer-run library that offers books, resources and programmes for Chinese dialects like Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese. The programmes at this public library aim to cultivate a greater appreciation of the Chinese culture and roots that date back centuries!

Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Chinatown Library, 133 New Bridge Road, Chinatown Point, #04-12, Singapore 059413, Website

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27. National Archives of Singapore

Want to learn all about Singapore’s history and heritage? The National Archives of Singapore stores treasured knowledge and memories from Singapore’s past, from government files to private memoirs, historical maps, photographs and more. So if you’re feeling nostalgic or are just curious about how far we’ve come as a nation, head down to the National Archives of Singapore.

Library Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 9pm

 National Archives of Singapore, 1 Canning Rise, Singapore 179868, Website

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28. Orchard Library (Temporarily Closed)

Orchard Library is located downtown and primarily has resources for those pursuing design. Unfortunately, there isn’t a children’s section in this public library at Orchard, but it is certainly a nice, quiet library where you can work in peace. Orchard Library is the first double-storey public library built within a mall and features ‘Book Trees’ with books, magazines, AV items and digital displays that show the latest happenings in the library.

Library Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am – 9pm

Orchard Library, 277 Orchard Road, orchardgateway #03-12 / #04-11, Singapore 238858, Website

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