Your Neighbourhood Library Might Not Let You Charge Your Phone For Free The Way It Used To

If you've been going to the library, not for the books, but for charging your phone for free, looks like it just got a little less convenient for you. 

Some library-goers were recently caught off guard after discovering that the National Library Board (NLB) has removed its Quick Charge stations from 13 public libraries, where people could charge their devices for free. In their place were ChargeSPOT power bank rental kiosks instead.

One Facebook user, who said he's a regular at Bishan Public Library, wasn't too pleased.

He shared a photo of the new kiosk — which charges S$1.50 for the first hour, capped at S$10 a day — and questioned why a service that used to be free now came with a price tag.

"The library is a place for you to relax and read your favourite books. Free charging is supposed to be a service for its patrons and now made into a business entity,” he ranted.

"Next, using their toilet will have to pay, is it? Doing a disservice to library users and it's too much already.”

In response to 8days,sg, NLB says the Quick Charge service, which was first introduced in 2015 as a value-added service for patrons needing a quick battery top-up, was discontinued on July 27.

The Quick Charge stations used to be available at 13 public libraries: Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, HarbourFront, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Sengkang, Serangoon, Toa Payoh, Tampines, Woodlands and Yishun.

In a social media post, NLB said some cases involved faulty devices and the use of multi-adaptors, which resulted in electrical overloading.

According to NLB, the service had been plagued by problems almost since it was introduced. Over the years, there were multiple cases of theft, with patrons leaving their phones unattended while charging.

They added that charging stations were also misused by people occupying multiple power points for prolonged periods, leading to disputes between library users.

NLB said some cases also involved faulty devices and the use of multi-adaptors, resulting in electrical overloading.

They also said that it had previously tried measures such as installing CCTV cameras and putting up additional notices, but the issues persisted.

NLB also stressed that ChargeSPOT kiosks are meant to supplement, not replace, the more than 1,800 free charging points already available across its libraries.

The catch? Those charging points are located at seats that can be reserved through NLB's Seat Booking System, and patrons are encouraged to charge only one personal device at each designated power point.

The change at Bishan Public Library quickly divided netizens online.

Some felt libraries shouldn't be expected to provide free phone charging in the first place.

"It's called a library for a reason. You're supposed to be reading books, not playing on your phone," wrote one commenter.

Another applauded the move, saying: "No more cheapskate users! Kudos to NLB for making the library a more conducive environment by cracking down on regular space hoarders who camp there for hours just to doomscroll or binge C-dramas and K-dramas."

Others argued that a handful of inconsiderate users had ruined it for everyone else.

"Ever considered that it's people like you who forced them to start charging?" one commenter asked.

Not everyone agreed, though.

Some felt charging a phone has become a basic convenience, especially for students and people who spend hours studying at libraries.

Before you start carrying a power bank everywhere, at least you can continue charging your devices if you book a seat through the Seat Booking System, right?

Photos: Umbrage Singapore/Facebook, NLB, publiclibrarysg/IG, ura.gov.sg