How to borrow e-books from NLB for FREE in Singapore. (Step by Step guide)

You feel like reading some books but the thought of walking all the way to the library under the scorching sun made you rather sleep than read. But what if you can instantly borrow books from the library in the comfort of your house, and read the books immediately from your computer, mobile or Kindle Fire.

Now you can do so with the NLB's eReads service, and I will show you how. First you will need to register for an myLibrary ID with your NRIC/FIN number,

Sign up at https:account.nlb.gov.sg/Request for free in 3 easy steps! 
1. Provide your NRIC/FIN number

2 Get an One-Time PIN (OTP) on your mobile phone via SMS

3. Create your user ID and password, and update your personal details 

Sign in and let's get reading! Now I'll show you how to borrow ebooks from NLB. 

Let us borrow Curious George as an example.

Borrow from PC:

1. Open browser and enter the website - http://singapore.lib.overdrive.com/
2. Type Curious George in the top right search bar. And press Enter.
3. Roll over the book you want to borrow. And click Borrow.
4. An indication will appear stating that the title has been added to the Checkouts page. In other words, you have successfully borrowed the book! You can borrow up to 6 books at 1 time.
   Click Go to Checkouts.
   
5. The Checkouts page will list out all the eBooks that you borrowed! From here, you can Read the eBook straight from the browser, Renew eBooks that you haven't finish within 21 days, or Return the eBooks you have finish reading!
   
6. Enjoy Reading!
   
7. If you don't want to read the book from the browser, you can download the EPUB version in .acsm format. However, you will need the Adobe Digital Editions' software to read it. You can download ADE here free.
8. If you read the book from ADE, you will have to return the book from the software. Just Click on Library tab -> right-click on the book you are returning -> Click return. That's all.
   

Borrow from Phone or Kindle Fire:

1. You will need to download the Overdrive app. Download them here.
2. Open the app, sign up or you can sign in using Facebook and tap on the Home menu located on the top-left corner.
3. Click + Add a library
4. Click Browse For Libraries -> Singapore -> Singapore -> National Library Board, Sngapore -> Click the star next to NLB.
   
   
5. Go back to the home page and click on National Library Board
   
6. You will be brought to the NLB's eReads website and you can borrow ebooks as I have shown you earlier.
7. Only US can borrow from Amazon Kindle eBook readers, but if you have Kindle Fire that can download app, then you can download the Overdrive app to borrow too.

Now you know how to borrow eBooks! You are just in time for Singapore's First National Reading Day to be held on July 30th! Read more about it here!