You can soon borrow a book at a public library in Singapore by simply scanning its bar code using a new mobile app on your smartphone.
Instead of going to the borrowing station to check out a book, the new National Library Board (NLB) app will let you do the same with your smartphone. It was put on a brief trial last week at some library branches and is expected to be fully released by this year.
See a book you like at the library? Just launch the app, place your phone’s camera over its bar code to scan it. How do you know if the transaction actually did go through? No worry there, as the app will confirm to you that the book has been loaned to you.
It not only alleviates queues at borrowing stations but also makes it easier for users to keep track of the books they have borrowed. At the same time, you can choose to renew the books with the smartphone app.
Users will need to have an NLB account to be able to use the app.
To find out more about the app, send an e-mail to ideas@nlb.gov.sg.
