There's a new reason to duck into City Square Mall beyond the shops. The National Library Board has opened a Kobo x NLB Sit-n-Read Node on Level 3, a free drop-in reading space that runs daily from 10am to 10pm until 11 April 2027.
The node is a first for two reasons. It's the only Sit-n-Read spot in Singapore to combine physical and digital reading, and it marks Rakuten Kobo's first standalone presence in the country. Part of NLB's ReadSG push to get more people reading, it's designed so you can wander in from any direction and squeeze in a quarter hour of reading between errands.
The digital side is a genuine try-before-you-buy setup. Eight eReaders are scattered around the space, all free to use, loaded with a curated slice of NLB's eBook catalogue. Visitors can test three of Kobo's newest models — the Libra Colour, Clara Colour and Clara BW — which is handy if you've been eyeing an eReader but aren't sure the e-ink life suits you. The books on the devices are short previews only, but scanning the QR code at the end of a preview links you to the full title in NLB's digital collection, where you can borrow it and carry on at home.
Paper loyalists get their own draw: shelves of curated pre-loved books for adults and kids. Unlike library books, these don't need borrowing — just take one home, and return it to the node when you're done so someone else can enjoy it. The stock gets refreshed regularly, so repeat visits can turn up new finds.
Settling in is easy. There are four colourful reading nooks for adults plus one built for families, each with its own eReader. Two house rules to remember: no food or drinks inside, and you can't donate your own used books here — NLB curates the selection itself. If you're decluttering at home, the library system takes book donations at designated corners in Bedok, Bishan, Geylang East, Jurong, Toa Payoh and Woodlands libraries instead.
For travellers, this fits neatly into a Singapore itinerary. City Square Mall sits directly above Farrer Park MRT station, so a reading break slots easily into a day exploring Little India next door. It costs nothing, requires no booking, and gives you an air-conditioned hour with a book when the midday heat gets aggressive. Families with kids will appreciate the dedicated family nook, and anyone who's been curious about eReaders gets a no-pressure demo. Even if you only pass through the mall once, walking off with a free paperback is a pretty good souvenir.
