About ASK!
WHAT is ASK! WHAT can I ASK! about?
ASK! is an Advisory and Enquiry Service at the Public Libraries. We provide information, and references to books and/or other resources, on any subject for your general interest, school project, work, business, fiction and leisure reading. However, we do not provide FULL answers to the following types of questions:
* School homework
We do offer help in terms of highlighting useful resources for homework, but we definitely do not DO homework!
* Medical or legal questions
We can suggest resources on medical and legal issues; however, it is always best to seek the opinion of medical and legal professionals for queries regarding: diagnoses, treatment advice, interpretation, legal procedures etc.
* Quiz questions, Crossword puzzles, Questions for competitive gain (e.g. gambling or contests)
So, you can ASK! about any subject. In addition, here are some of the specialized areas of the ASK! service:
- KidsASK!
Ever wondered how to explain certain things to a kid? Our Children’s Librarians will provide appropriate information and suggest suitable books for your child’s schoolwork, reading needs and interests. We also provide information and resources for parents, caregivers and child educators. - Fiction Advisory Service
Need recommendations on what to read next? Just let us know what you love or loathe! We can suggest fiction titles or authors based on your reading preferences and provide any sort of fiction-related information. - ASK! Performing Arts
To ask or not to ask. That's the question. Ask us anything on Film, Music, Theatre, and Dance. A team of subject librarians from the library@esplanade will help you with your enquiries.
WHY should I use these services?
You probably know how to Google. But the Internet might not have all the information that you want and such information would need to be evaluated for its authenticity and accuracy. Even if you have found something from the Internet, it does not hurt to check with our professional librarians.
ASK! saves you time and effort by presenting you with a variety of reliable sources of information, be it for home, work or play!
WHO provides these services and WHO can use them?
This service is provided by professional librarians from the Public Library Services, National Library Board, Singapore. We welcome questions from anyone, anywhere!
HOW can I ASK! ?
These are the following channels via which the ASK! service is provided. Your enquiry will be directed to an appropriate librarian. We will identify reliable and trustworthy sources for you to make informed reading decisions and/or discover the answer(s).
Send us Emails!
For KidsASK!, ASK! Performing Arts and all other questions: ask@nlb.gov.sg
For fiction questions: FictionAdvisory@nlb.gov.sg
Call us!
Give us a ring at: +65 6332 3255. You will be able to speak directly with a librarian.
Visit our Counters!
Talk with our Adult & Young People’s librarians or Children’s librarians at the Reference and Advisory Counters at the following libraries:
- Jurong Regional Library
- Tampines Regional Library
- Woodlands Regional Library
Counter Hours
Monday to Sunday: 1 - 9 pm
Fill up an Enquiry Form!
Enquiry forms are available at all Public Libraries, please approach the Customer Service Counter if you are unable to locate them.
WHEN can I ASK! ? WHEN can I expect a reply?
Questions received will be answered within 3 working days. Our librarians will let you know if they need more time to process your request.
More information here at the NLB website.