Q: What does The best libraries around Singapore for studying O Levels and A Levels cover? A: A parent- and student-friendly field-guide to nine National Library Board branches that offer quiet zones.
TL;DR Seven open NLB libraries with confirmed quiet study zones (fact-checked 14 Oct 2025), plus library@orchard (temporarily closed until 31 Dec 2025) and a Lifelong Learning Institute space you should reconfirm because the official listing is offline. Use the shortlist and map to pick a location, then check the branch page or seat-booking portal before you leave home.
NLB’s listing currently serves a 404 placeholder; contact the Lifelong Learning Institute to confirm access before travelling. NLB listing
2 | Seat booking
Branches that still show a “Reserve Study Seat Area” button as of 14 Oct 2025: National Library Building, Jurong Regional Library, Clementi Public Library, Woodlands Regional Library, Tampines Regional Library, Punggol Regional Library, and library@harbourfront. Reserve seats via NLB’s portal with your myLibrary account.
library@orchard is temporarily closed for the SG60 Heart & Soul Experience, and The LLiBrary listing is offline—call ahead before you rely on either for study slots.
Always recheck the branch directory for last-minute hour changes via NLB’s library directory.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. NLB – National Library Building
Quiet seats: Facilities list a Quiet Reading Room and a Reading/Study Lounge; use the “Reserve Study Seat Area” button on the branch page to book a slot via NLB’s portal. NLB – National Library Building · NLB Seat Booking
Break options: On-site cafés (Levels 1 and 3), multimedia and eNewspaper stations for short rests between practice sets. NLB – National Library Building
4.2 library@orchard (Somerset 313)
Heads-up: library@orchard is temporarily closed while the SG60 Heart & Soul Experience runs until 31 Dec 2025. Pick an alternative if you need a study seat.
Status: Temporarily closed while the SG60 Heart & Soul Experience runs from 26 Aug – 31 Dec 2025; NLB states that “library services will not be available during this period.” NLB – library@orchard
Hours during exhibition: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM on Mondays, 09:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesdays to Sundays; bookdrop and reservation lockers are temporarily closed. Exhibition access only—no study seats. NLB – library@orchard
Planning tip: Keep this branch on your radar for design resources, but choose another library for actual study sessions until the exhibition winds down. NLB – library@orchard
Hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. NLB – Jurong Regional Library
Quiet seats: Quiet Reading Room and Reading/Study Lounge listed, with a “Reserve Study Seat Area” button that links to NLB’s booking system. NLB – Jurong Regional Library · NLB Seat Booking
Round-the-clock returns: 24-hour bookdrop and reservation lockers support late-night study loops in Jurong Gateway. NLB – Jurong Regional Library
4.4 Clementi Public Library
Address: The Clementi Mall #05-13/14/15, 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West, Singapore 129588. NLB – Clementi Public Library
Hours: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. NLB – Clementi Public Library
Amenities: Expect core study tables, eNewspaper and multimedia stations; bookdrop and locker access follow The Clementi Mall’s opening hours. NLB – Clementi Public Library
Hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. NLB – Woodlands Regional Library
Hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. NLB – Tampines Regional Library
Hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. The Study Zone itself opens 09:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily, including public holidays, via Lift Lobby B (Level 3). NLB – Punggol Regional Library
Quiet seats: Study Zone plus calm pods and a co-working zone are listed; reserve seats through the branch’s “Reserve Study Seat Area” link. NLB – Punggol Regional Library · NLB Seat Booking
Accessibility: Assistive technology, accessible collections, family lounge, and Borrow-n-Go machines help mixed-age groups share the space smoothly. NLB – Punggol Regional Library
Hours: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM daily with self-service access from 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM; closes 5:00 PM on the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year; closed on public holidays. NLB – library@harbourfront
Break options: Immersive Storytelling Room, Grab-n-Go collection, and the video wall make it easy to reset between papers. NLB – library@harbourfront
4.9 The LLiBrary (Lifelong Learning Institute)
Status check: NLB’s official listing currently returns a 404 placeholder (retrieved 14 Oct 2025). NLB – The LLiBrary
Next step: Contact NLB or the Lifelong Learning Institute concierge before planning a trip so you can confirm access requirements and opening hours. Contact NLB
5 | Study-plan templates
5.1 Mid-term WA week
Time
Block
Task
09:00-11:00
Library seat (silent)
2 x 45-min Physics structured sets (paper 2 slice)
11:00-12:00
Cafe corner
Re-mark + error journal
12:00-13:00
Lunch break
Walk 800 m outdoor sunlight
13:00-15:00
Library pod
Math binomial drill (20 Qs); annotate formula sheet
15:15-16:00
Group room
Teach-back with classmate
5.2 Pre-A-Level sprint (last four weeks)
Alternate locations daily: National Library → Punggol → Tampines to avoid environment fatigue.
Consider limiting each study slot to about 2–3 hours to reduce fatigue; take a short break before switching tasks.
Night session 18:00-21:00 at library@harbourfront; heavier dinner at 17:00.
