10 Best Public Libraries in Singapore [2022] 

One of the best places for a good study session are the good, old public libraries. You might think why would you need to visit a library to study if you can access all the information you need on the internet. Well, libraries aren’t just there for you to use their books, they’re also amazingly quiet which is perfect for a good study session.

Nowadays, public libraries also have the most amazing facilities that you won’t be able to access at home. That’s why here’s a list of our favorite public libraries that you can check out.

1. National Library

We’re starting this list with one of the few public libraries that everyone is aware of. The National Library of Singapore might be the largest public library but is way more than a place for just reading books. They’ve got the usual library from where you can borrow books, a reference section with over  600,000 references if you need some research papers to cite from for your research, and even a digital library.

That’s not all. The building looks simply amazing too, with the two towers covered almost completely with glass and walkways connecting them. After a good studying session when you want to take a quick break, you can stroll through their gardens – the Courtyard which is on Level 5, and the Retreat located on Level 10. Or, you can just visit their cafe on the ground floor for a quick bite.

There are special rooms for study purposes on the upper levels, so you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the city while you go through your notes. Their book dispensers are pretty cool too.

Address: National Library, 100 Victoria St, Singapore, 188064

Timings: Every day from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

2. Library@Orchard

Public libraries only feel kind of old and stuffy, but Library@Orchard will seriously blow your socks off. Designed for the modern reader, you’ll want to visit this library every day just to marvel at its architecture. Occupying two levels of Orchard Gateway – Level 3 and Level 4, you can only access this architectural masterpiece through an elevator or escalator.

There are plenty of chairs available, and it’s not uncommon to see several students working on their assignments or studying. Besides that, there are also huge tables and even power sources for laptop should you need to use one. If you’re looking for reference books, then you’re likely to find them on level 4. With over 100,000 titles, it’s almost certain that you’ll get the one that you need.

While taking a break from studying, you can visit some of the exhibitions that are often held on Level 3 or look at the Book trees on Level 4. Now, if that’s not enough, they even have In-House Artist Display where you can interact with artists and view their work.

Address: #03-12 & #04-11, 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway Singapore, Singapore 238858

Timings: Everyday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

3. Tampines Regional Library

We’ve discussed public libraries that are themed like a forest, others which are digital marvels, and even those with architecture so good, that it feels unreal. But do you know what’s even more unreal? A place where you can exercise while studying, has a culinary studio, a running track, and a terrace with cushions, and that place is a public library.

This library is massive, and has over 5 floors, and each floor has a different theme and a different design that goes with this theme. The children’s section is on floor number 3 and 4 and has whimsical designs of hollow trees, bird-cages and even a playground for the kids. But you’re here to study so you should to study corners or even the discussion corner if you’re here with friends.

There are rows and rows of desks which will give you the feeling as though you’re back in the university library so that you can quickly get into study-mode.

Address: #02-01, Our Tampines Hub, 1 Tampines Walk, Singapore 528523

Timings: Everyday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

4. Library@Harbourfront

Studying with a view of the sea, as you go through the course material, sounds like something that would only happen over Pinterest or Instagram, right? Wrong. Library@Harbourfront is the perfect place to do this, as since it’s a public library you can do this for free.

Enjoy the view of Sentosa as the waves lull you to a deep meditative state which is perfect for studying. The lighting is also really good so you won’t strain your eyes even if you decide to study for longer periods. And since this public library is really new (it just opened on January 2019), most of the books are brand-new and has a sea-green and blue theme to celebrate the sea.

There are plenty of workshops held on mathematics, science technology and arts so you can enrich your knowledge with experts on the field. Library@Harbourfront also has plenty of books, both physical and digital, in fact it has the highest number of augmented reality books.

Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #03-05 (Lobby F) VivoCity, Singapore 098585

Timings: Everyday from 11:00 am to 09:00 pm

5. Library@Esplanade

If you’re interested in or are majoring in the performing arts, then this public library is going to be heaven for you. But if you’re not, it’s still going to be a really good place to revise those notes. Library@Esplanade is dedicated to the performing arts and you can see this dedication, simply by the fact that they are located in an art center.

Since they’re focused on the performing arts, there aren’t a lot of books but instead they have plenty of scripts, DVDs, monologues, sheet music and even stations with headphones where you can listen to their music collection. If you’re just looking for a good place to study, you can head to their reading tables where you’ll often find plenty of other students trying to study as well.

If you’re studying literature and can’t understand what’s going on in the story, try watching the film adaption if there is one. It won’t be fully faithful to the book but chances are, it’ll make understanding it so much easier. There’s even a small cafe that serves pretty good snacks if you get hungry after a while.

Address: 8 Raffles Avenue #03-01 Singapore, Singapore 039802

Timings: Every day from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.

6. Yishun Public Library

Yishun Public Library is located inside a mall, on the Level 4 of Northpoint Shopping Center to be more precise. That means that you’ll always find this library teeming with life, whether it be the older folk looking for a quiet place to sit and enjoy, or the younger ones who need a good place to study.

Those of you haven’t visited the library since 2018, will be in for the shock of your lives. This renovated public library now caters to the tech-savvy people with their digital bookshelves, a new digital zone that allows people to gain knowledge either through small videos or even whole books and their furniture which is designed to resemble pixels. Students will love the Digital Learning Zone which has over 7 learning pods that contain everything from your courses to even TedTalks.

When you’re bored, you can explore the mall for a while or even their reading lounge for a little quiet me time for yourself.

Address: 930 Yishun Ave 2, #04-01 North Wing, Northpoint City, Singapore 769098

Timings: Every day from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

7. Jurong Regional Library

The largest public library, it’s very easy for you to get lost among the several bookshelves present in the four floors of this building. It provides a great and private place for you to go through your books and revise for your exams. In fact, even the vibe of the place is so good for studying that you’re gonna lose track of time.

It also has a special section for teens where they can enjoy graphic novels, books and comics on the top floor which is a great place to visit after you’re done with your school books. Level 3 is the one that you’re likely to be interested in – it’s their reference section and has over  173,000 materials. There’s a reading room on Level 2 where you can get some quiet time to study properly.

If you think that you need to worry about food, you don’t. There’s a cafe on Level 1 and you can enjoy the music on music posts.

Address: 21 Jurong East Central 1, Singapore 609732

Timings: Everyday from 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm

8. Woodlands Regional Library

This list keeps getting better. Next, we have the Woodlands Regional Library which is located near three nature reserves, and to celebrate this lush greenery, has been themed as nature and environment. It has four levels that contain 420,000 books, with the first one being centered around magazines and audiovisual materials.

The second floor is the reference section, where you would be particularly interested in as well as the Chinese and Malay section. This library holds the largest collection of Chinese and Malay books so if you’re looking for them, you’re in luck. If you have a younger sibling, even they can have fun on the fourth floor, which is designed like a mock jungle while you spend your time studying away.

When hungry, you can visit their cafe on the first floor or if you’re really bored, check out their art collection which has more than 50 pieces and is worth a staggering half a million.

Address: Woodlands Civic Centre #01-03, 900 South Woodlands Drive, Singapore 730900

Timings: Every day from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

9. Bishan Public Library

One of the quirkiest designs for a library, the Bishan Public Library has the shape of a tree-house to provide the environment for a studying environment. With over five floors to explore, and a myriad of content ranging from health, recreation and is the perfect place to study for several schools around the library.

Now, with so many students visiting the library and studying is definitely going to motivate you as well. The ‘pods’ that you’ll find extending from the building are actually great nooks for you to read through the books and browse some video lectures on your laptop. The stained glass will give you a pretty view that will motivate you to study even harder.

There’s a cafe on the first floor for when you need something to nibble on.

Address: 5 Bishan Place, #01-01, Singapore 579841

Timings: Everyday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

10. Marine Parade Public Library

Another marvel of public libraries, the Marine Parade Public Library is designed in a way that it is extremely brightly lit. The library is Singapore’s second-oldest public library. With over 3 floors, this library is located in the community center near Parkway Parade. It has over 150,000 books and 2,500 videos available for loan.

Each floor has plenty of chairs and couches, which make it a great place to study for your coming exams. However, the number of desks is very few so if you’re preparing some notes by hand, then you might need to come a little early. The lighting is very warm and gives a pleasant vibe to the library. There’s a cafe on the ground floor for when you’re feeling hungry.

Besides this, you can check out their multimedia stations, DIY stations, or simply listen to the music on their music posts. If you don’t have headphones, don’t worry they’ve got you covered.

Address: #01-02, Marine Parade Community Building, 278 Marine Parade Road, Singapore
449282

Timings: Every day from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

That’s our list of the best public libraries to study in. The environment in every public library is amazing for studying anything, so get your books, notes and spend some time learning new things. You’ll thank yourself later.

If you’re studying at home, then scented candles are an awesome way to increase the study mood. Check out our list on it.