NLB's Grab-n-Go Makes Borrowing Books Even Easier

Breeze through the gantries to take books home!

Borrowing books is now even easier with the new self-checkout service “Grab-n-Go” at the National Library Building. This self-checkout system will enable patrons to pick up a book from the library and it will be automatically checked-out as they exit through the gantry. This is a pilot project and is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to enhance the experience for its patrons under its LAB25 (Library and Archives Blueprint 2025) plan. It is also one of the replacement services¹ for the Central Public Library as it closes temporarily from 13 June 2022 for its revamp.

NLB self-checkout service grab n go NLB’s new self-checkout service, Grab-n-Go, at the Study Lounge on Level 5 of the National Library Building, which is open from 9am to 9pm.

NLB Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “We are always keen to try new ways to enhance our patrons’ experience at our libraries and archives. RFID technology has enabled self-checkouts at all our libraries, and now, with the Grab-n-Go pilot, the checkout process will be automated, which will make it even more convenient for our patrons. We hope to roll out more Grab-n-Go systems in time, to enable our libraries and archives to be the go-to learning marketplace.”

The Grab-and-Go pilot will start from 18 May 2022 at the Level 5 Study Lounge of the National Library Building. Patrons simply need to do the following:

Scan ID or NLB eCard at the gantry;
Grab the book/s (up to 8) from a selection in the Lounge;
Carry the book/s at the gantry;
Tap ID or NLB eCard to confirm loan to exit.

NLB welcomes any feedback via e-mail at enquiry@nlb.gov.sg, or online here.

At the end of this pilot expected early next year, we will review its usage and evaluate feedback from patrons before determining the feasibility and future roll-out plans of the Grab-n-Go system at other public libraries.

¹Other replacement services are available during Central Public Library’s revamp to enable patrons to continue reading and learning with us. These include the reservation lockers at basement 1 and a 24-hour bookdrop facility at level 1 of the National Library Building; eResources which could be accessed through the NLB Mobile app; The Little Book Box subscription service; and Libraries in the vicinity which include Toa Payoh Public Library, library@harbourfront and Geylang East Public Library. More information can be found here.

Photos of Grab-n-Go

NLB Grab-n-Go Grab-n-Go will enable patrons to pick up a book from a collection of about 5,000 English, Chinese Malay, and Tamil adult titles, and books will be automatically checked-out as patrons exit through the gantry.

NLB grab n go borrow books checkout The Grab-n-Go system leverages Ultra-High Frequency Radio Identification technology which enables our patrons to Grab a book and Go in four simple steps.

NLB Grab-n-Go checkout service After grabbing the books of their choice, patrons simply need to scan their ID or NLB eCard at the gantry to automatically check out the books.