Bukit Batok Library
After 2 years of renovations, Bukit Batok Library has finally reopened on 27th March 2026, and there’s more good news for early birds: the library is also extending its operating hours, opening from 9am to 9pm.
Located in West Mall, the 3-storey library is now double its original size at over 2,700sqm, with almost twice the number of seats as before. We went down to check out all the new spaces, from relaxation zones with surround-sound speakers to interactive exhibits.
What’s new at Bukit Batok Library?
New interiors inspired by Little Guilin
Image credit: National Library Board
When you think of Bukit Batok, the iconic rocky cliffs of Little Guilin in Bukit Batok Town Park probably come to mind. That’s exactly what inspired the library’s redesign, with fake stalactites hanging from the ceiling and textured, cave-like walls.
SingLand Soundscape
The library has also recreated the tranquil vibe of Little Guilin through the SingLand Soundscape – a sensory experience featuring custom calming soundtracks made from field recordings of everyday sounds from around the neighbourhood.
Composed by Singaporean sound artist Mervin Wong, these soundtracks accompanied us as we explored Levels 1 and 2. A first for our national libraries, these audio-led experiences are intended to encourage visitors to connect with their environment and practise mindfulness.
Image credit: National Library Board
There are 4 separate sections to explore: Sound Cave, Time Caverns, Sound Library, and Sound Pavilion.
As we took the escalator up to Level 2, we heard the notes of the 1st track, Embrace, fade into the 2nd track, Nature, creating a calming atmosphere.
Sound Cave
When we entered the Sound Cave, it was hard to believe we were still standing inside a library. Surrounded by rocky walls and soothing sounds emanating from the speakers around the room, it almost felt like we had teleported into a cosy cave separate from the hubbub of the outside world.
As we relaxed on the stone seats, the walls lit up with text identifying the sounds of Bukit Batok’s green spaces and city life, from the familiar chirps of straw-headed bulbuls to the low hums of engines.
Time Caverns
Exploring deeper into the “cave”, we entered the Time Caverns, an interactive exhibit with 4 zones, each highlighting different segments of Bukit Batok’s history.
The exhibit will whisk you on a journey through time, from the area’s pre-war agricultural roots to its industrialisation, the days of the Former Ford Factory, the hardships of the Japanese Occupation, and right up to the present day.
If slogging through long and dreary history textbooks wasn’t your thing in school, don’t worry, this is nothing like that.
Here, Bukit Batok’s lesser-known secrets come alive through photographs, sounds, and oral history recordings curated from the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore’s collections.
We learnt about the interesting theories behind Bukit Batok’s name – some people believed the hill resembled a human skull, hence the name “batok” – and explored the area’s role in WWII when the Former Ford Factory became an assembly site for Allied fighter planes in 1941.
Fun fact: Each of the miniature 3D car models lining the Former Ford Factory zone counts for roughly 500 cars. Together, they represent the 150,000 total automobiles produced before the factory’s closure in 1980.
Don’t miss this little hole-in-the-wall exhibit like we almost did. The 3rd zone of the Time Caverns might resemble an industrial warehouse, but take a closer look and you’ll find windows into scenes of everyday life during the Japanese Occupation.
There are also headphones you can pick up to listen to survivors sharing their memories from that time.
Image credit: National Library Board
Bookworms, here’s your chance to become a storyteller yourself. From now till 30th September 2026, you can add photos, videos, sounds, and even websites to a digital archive under the Bukit Batok Memories project.
Alternatively, add your memories on the spot by scanning the QR code on the digital displays in the final zone of the Time Caverns.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the 4 stamp rally stations found at each zone of the Time Caverns. At each station, you’ll get to pick up a free bookmark and emboss it with 4 unique stamp-style designs, each featuring the area’s most iconic creatures, from the Sunda pangolin to the flying lemur.
Sound Library
Image credit: National Library Board
Gone are the days of mixtapes and cassettes, but in the Sound Library, you’ll have the chance to relive the magic of listening to a playlist made just for you, but this time, it’s curated by the community.
Here, you can browse an extensive collection of audio clips from NLB’s Singapore Memories initiative, dedicated to preserving the nation’s history, culture, and daily life.
We had fun rediscovering the sounds we often take for granted, from the hollers of the neighbourhood karang guni to lion dance performances and coconut smashing during Thaipusam.
All 4 booths feature albums centred around themes that capture the essence of our nation – Festivals & Arts, Community, Environment, and Animals.
Next to the Sound Library, we also spotted a first-of-its-kind digital display that lets you listen to audiobook previews and borrow them on-the-spot with a simple scan of the book’s QR code.
Sound Pavilion
Image credit: National Library Board
The last section of SingLand Soundscape is the Sound Pavilion, an open seating area inspired by tea houses, with warm cove lighting and real ceramic teapots on display for that extra zen vibe. Even better, you can bring beverages like coffee and tea into this area, as long as they’re secured with a lid.
In this section, you’ll find shelves stocked with books on analogue hobbies like cooking and birdwatching, curated to fit the theme of mindfulness.
While we browsed, the 3rd and final soundtrack, Tranquillity, echoed throughout the space, setting the perfect mood for some light reading or much-needed R&R.
We also noticed that the private booths next to the Sound Pavilion come with charging points, great for remote working or a quiet study session.
If you didn’t manage to chope a private booth in time, don’t worry – there are more seats available at the Multimedia and Study Zone on Level 2. Be sure to book a seat in advance via the NLB mobile app (App Store | Google Play) to secure your spot as it can get crowded pretty quickly.
While Levels 1 to 3 are accessible via the gantry at the entrance from 9am to 9pm, night owls can also stay an hour longer at the Multimedia and Study Zone until 10pm. To enter, you’ll need to scan the library member QR code in your NLB mobile app, so be sure to update the app and keep it handy.
Saff will only be on site from 11am onwards, so it might be better to drop by later in the day, just in case you require assistance.
Interactive zones & reading nooks for all ages
Image credit: National Library Board
Also on Level 2, we found a cosy corner called the Ripples Circle. We were drawn to the room’s central display, which is inspired by gravel raking in Zen gardens. The kinetic art display features a magnetised ball that moves through the sand with as many as 29 unique patterns.
Around the room, you’ll also find cushioned seats and multiple charging points, making it easy to work or study comfortably.
Image credit: National Library Board
Moving up to Level 3, you’ll find it hard to miss the colourful, gem-like alcoves in the Children’s Zone. When it’s not being used for storytelling sessions, this snug space is perfect for some one-on-one reading time with your little one if they need a break from all the sounds and sights on Level 2.
Enhanced digital discovery tools that make it easier to explore the library’s catalogue
On the same level, you can play around with a whole host of upgraded book discovery tools, saving you from the extra time and headache of looking for fresh reads to add to your TBR list.
Image credit: National Library Board
Thanks to the new Scan-n-Discover display, you’ll be able to find your next favourite read faster than you can open the Goodreads app or scroll through BookTok. All you have to do is scan the QR code on the library label of a book you’ve been loving to get recommendations of 18 similar physical and eBooks that you can check out the same day.
The borrowing station and book drop are also conveniently located right next to the Scan-n-Discover area, making it super convenient to grab your books and go.
Image credit: National Library Board
Another helpful tool to check out is the Infinite Shelves, which are virtual shelves displaying eBooks from popular collections like Travel, Health, and Adult Fiction.
With this set-up, you won’t have to scroll through the NLB app only to find your book is on loan. All eBooks displayed on the Infinite Shelves are available to borrow instantly by scanning the book’s QR code, which means you’ll still get your reading fix even if a physical copy isn’t available.
What activities can I expect at Bukit Batok Library?
To celebrate their re-opening, the library will be hosting a lineup of family-friendly programmes throughout, including storytelling sessions and DIY workshops. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Programmes | Date | Time | Venue |
Build Your Own Fruit Peel Enzyme Cleaner
|
28th March 2026, Saturday | 11.00am-1.00pm | Programme Room |
Jiggle Read and Rhyme
Baby Lapsit
|
29th March 2026, Sunday | 11.00am-11.30am & 11.40am- 12.15pm | Programme Room |
Storytelling: Fractured Fairytales
|
29th March 2026, Sunday | 2.00pm-2.45pm | Programme Room |
Aquatic Plants: The Enchanting World of the Lotus
|
11th April 2026, Saturday | 2pm-3.30pm | Programme Room |
How to get to Bukit Batok Library?
Image credit: Joseph Lim via Google Maps
The library is just a 6-minute walk from Bukit Batok MRT via Exit C. The Bukit Batok Bus Interchange is also 5 minutes away if you’re coming by bus. Once you’ve reached West Mall, you can enter the library from any of its entrances on Levels 1, 2, and 3.
Visit the newly revamped Bukit Batok Library & get back on your reading grind
BTW, Bukit Batok Library isn’t the only library opening this year after a revamp. library@orchard will also be reopening sometime towards the 2nd half of 2026, so it’s a good idea to start looking for your old library card or download the NLB mobile app to easily borrow and renew physical and digital copies of your next reads.
For more book-related reads:
- Rent a bookshelf at Casual Poet Library
- Save your SG Culture Pass credits to buy SingLit books
- How to read free eBooks on a Kobo with your NLB account
Cover image adapted from: National Library Board, The Smart Local