NLB launches mobile app to streamline borrowing process

The National Library Board (NLB) officially launched a new mobile application on Tuesday (Sep 23) that will allow visitors to use smartphones to borrow books, instead of queuing at a book borrowing station or using a library card.Library users can simply scan the library barcode found on the book using the NLB mobile app, and the borrowing process will be complete. If users want to borrow more than one title, they can repeat the process.

The app also allows users to check the availability of book titles at library branches, view item due dates, and renew titles from anywhere - even from overseas. Parents can also use the app to borrow books on behalf of their young children.

"The objective is to give members the convenience of accessing all their information in one place. They will have easy access to their account details, they can renew items, they can sign up for reminder services and of course they'll be able to access the NLB mobile app," the NLB's Public Libraries Manager Mr Robin Dresel said.

This app is part of the NLB's slew of online services called myLibrary. It was made available on Google Play on Sep 14, and on iTunes on Sep 15.

This service allows users to get notifications via email on book reservations and make renewals as well as payments. Library members can sign up for myLibrary through the official website to receive their ID and password by post within five days. - CNA/dl