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Using The Library

Who can use the TP Library?

Who can use the TP Library?

The Library is open to current TP students, staff and members.

How do I enter the library using facial recognition (FR)?

How do I enter the library using facial recognition (FR)?

Look directly at the FR camera for the system to detect your face. The gantry will open upon recognition. If the FR can’t identify you, inform the counter staff to re-take your photo. Click here for more information about Facial Recognition @ TP Library. 

What are the library opening hours?

What are the library opening hours?

Refer to the library homepage for the most updated opening hours. 

What if I need help finding information?

What if I need help finding information?

Make an appointment with a librarian if you need in-depth research help. Simply submit the Project Advisory Service for Students (PASS) form found here. Try not to do very last-minute work, so that your librarians can help you to find the most suitable resources.

What if a book is not on loan but I cannot locate it on the shelf?

What if a book is not on loan but I cannot locate it on the shelf?

Place a reservation for the title via LibSearch. Once the item is ready for collection, you will receive a QR code via email. Scan the QR code to retrieve the item from the Reservation Pick-Up Locker located outside the library.

Are there printers in the library?

Are there printers in the library?

Self-service printers are located at Levels 4 and 5.

How do I connect to TP’s Wi-Fi network?

How do I connect to TP’s Wi-Fi network?
  • Student: Connect to TP-STUDENT. Refer to the user guides found on the Student’s IT Needs page for more information.
  • Staff: Connect to TP-STAFF when using the Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), or TP-SURF when using your personal devices.
  • External Members: Register for an account to connect to TP-SURF. Once the account is created, it is valid for 5 calendar days.

Loans, Reservations & Fines

How do I borrow a book?

How do I borrow a book?

Use the Self-check machines on Level 2 or ask for help from the Loans Counter.

What is a Self-Check machine PIN code?

What is a Self-Check machine PIN code?

The PIN code allows you to borrow books using the Self-Check machines. Login to your Library account or approach the staff at the Loans Counter to set up your PIN code.

Where is the CD-ROM that goes with the book?

Where is the CD-ROM that goes with the book?

Accompanying CDs are kept at the Loans Counter. Approach the counter staff to borrow the CD.

How do I renew my loans?

How do I renew my loans?

Open Shelf, Periodical and Media loans are automatically renewed three days before the due date.

Maximum renewal limit: 3. After three renewals, if the item is reservation-free, you can request for a new loan cycle at the Loans Counter.

These materials cannot be renewed: Restricted loan, Hourly loans, AT devices and items with reservations.

How many books can I borrow?

How many books can I borrow?

Refer to this page to see your borrowing privileges.

How do I reserve a book?

How do I reserve a book?

After searching for the book in Poly LibSearch, click on “Sign in”. Once the item is ready for collection, you will receive a QR code via email. Scan the QR code to retrieve the item from the Reservation Pick-Up Locker located outside the library.

What if I damage or lose a library book?

What if I damage or lose a library book?

Report all damages or losses to the Loans Counter or email libloan@tp.edu.sg immediately. Details can be found here (go to the section on Damaged or Lost Library Materials).

Where do I pay my fines?

Where do I pay my fines?

Approach the Loans Counter to pay your fines using either NETS, FlashPay, PayLah, or CashCard. Please note that we are unable to accept cash payments. For AXS online payment method, please email libloan@tp.edu.sg.

What is my library account username and password?

What is my library account username and password?
  • TP Full-time Student: Use your student email address (e.g. 22345678X@student.tp.edu.sg) and password
  • TP Part-time Student: Use your student ID (e.g. 22345678X@polite.edu.sg) and password
  • TP Staff: Use your login ID (e.g. johntan@tp.edu.sg) and password
  • SIT Staff & Student: Use your SIT email address and password
  • External Members: Not applicable

What if I forget my password?

What if I forget my password?
  • TP Student and Staff: Contact ITSM to reset your password.
  • SIT Staff & Student: Follow the instructions on the login screen to reset your password.
  • External Member: Not applicable

Using E-Resources

What is my e-resources login ID and password?

What is my e-resources login ID and password?

What if I forget my password?

What if I forget my password?

TP students and staff can contact ITSM to reset your password.

How do I search for newspaper or journal articles?

How do I search for newspaper or journal articles?

You can search for articles using either Poly LibSearch or databases listed under the Library’s E-Resources page.

Are e-resources accessible off-campus?

Are e-resources accessible off-campus?

Yes, you can access e-resources remotely. The login method and credentials are the same for on-campus and off-campus.

How do I return e-books?

How do I return e-books?

E-books that you have viewed online or downloaded will automatically be inaccessible after the loan period. There is no action needed on your part. If you still need the e-book, just search for the title to borrow or download again.

Where can I get past year e-exam papers?

Where can I get past year e-exam papers?

Past examination papers can be accessed from TP Archives. Search under the Exam Paper collection. Make sure you are signed in to view the results. Do note that only the current seven years exam papers are available. Answers are not provided.

Cannot find a paper?

·       The subject is course-based.

·       Exam papers older than seven years are not available.

·       Not all exam papers are released for access. If the paper is not available, you could check with your lecturer.

Guide to Poly LibSearch

Getting Started with Poly LibSearch

What is Poly LibSearch?

What is Poly LibSearch?

Poly LibSearch is an initiative by the Joint Polytechnic Libraries (NP, NYP, SP & TP) to provide one-stop search of the libraries’ catalogues. In Phase 1 (starting from 21 June 2023), TP staff and students can search for physical resources from both TP and SP Libraries and request for printed books from SP Library in just one click.

The following search options are available:

  • TP Library Catalogue - Printed books, e-books, journals, articles and more from TP Library
  • Poly Libraries Catalogue - Resources from TP Library catalogue and printed books from SP Library catalogue
  • Online Only - All online resources (e.g. e-books, database articles) from TP Library
  • Books and E-Books - Printed books and e-books from TP Library
Finding what you need with Poly LibSearch

How do I search for TP Library’s books and e-books?

How do I search for TP Library’s books and e-books?

Type your keywords in the Poly LibSearch box on the library homepage, and press enter. 

The results list shows a range of resource types (e.g. printed books, e-books and articles) that contain your keywords. Use the filters on the left to refine the results if necessary, then click on the title that you’re interested in.

If it is a printed book, its location, shelf number and status can be found under “Location”. Use this information to quickly locate the book in the library.

If it is an e-book, there will be an “Available Online” link to the full-text.

Click on “Full-Text availability” to access the book.

What does “Scanned Location” refer to?

What does “Scanned Location” refer to?

Robbie, the library’s Inventory Robot, performs stocktaking by scanning the books autonomously at levels 6, 7 and 8. The scanned location is displayed in Poly LibSearch, under “Location”. You can use this information to find books easily at the correct shelf.


The image below shows how to identify the row, bay and tier for each shelf.

How do I search for articles with Poly LibSearch?

How do I search for articles with Poly LibSearch?

The TP Library Catalogue option enables a quick search of selected databases such as EBSCOhost databases, ProQuest SciTech & Sociology, ScienceDirect. For in-depth research, you may want to search the library’s subscribed e-resources directly.

To access articles through Poly LibSearch, type your keywords in the Poly LibSearch box on the library homepage, and press enter. 

To view an article from the results page, click on “Available Online”.

After signing in, you will be directed to the e-resource to view the full text article.

What if I can’t find the article I’m searching for?

What if I can’t find the article I’m searching for?

TP Library Catalogue covers some of library’s subscribed journal databases. For in-depth research, you may want to  search the library’s subscribed e-resources directly.

While searching Poly LibSearch, if you find an online article which is not available in full text, you can request for it using Document Delivery Service. This service is available for TP staff and students. From the navigation bar on the Poly LibSearch page, select Document Delivery for Student or Staff to submit your request.

TP staff and students who need help in research can use our Ask a Librarian service.

What if I have too many search results?

What if I have too many search results?

Use the filters on the left side of the page to narrow your results by Availability, Resource Type, Publication Date and more.

You can also do a more controlled search using Advanced Search.

How do I export items from my search results? Eg. Print, email, cite, export to reference manager

How do I export items from my search results? Eg. Print, email, cite, export to reference manager

At each item’s page, use the “Send To” features to print, email and cite. You can also export the item record to reference managers such as Mendeley, by selecting “Export RIS”.

How do I request or reserve an item?

How do I request or reserve an item?

Sign in using TP email address & password to check if the Request option is available. You will be notified by email once the item is ready for collection at the Reservation Pick-up Locker located outside the library.

How do I access TP Archives?

How do I access TP Archives?

TP Archives can be accessed here

Accessing your library account

How do I access My Library Account to view my current or past loan history?

How do I access My Library Account to view my current or past loan history?

In Poly LibSearch, click on the “Sign In” button at the top-right header. After signing in, click on your name and “My Library Account”.


The Overview page shows you the loans and requests currently in your account.

The Loans page shows materials currently on loan to you. To view your previous loan record, select “Previous and historic loans” from the drop-down menu.


Why am I unable to renew my loans in My Library Account?

Why am I unable to renew my loans in My Library Account?

If you see a “Not Renewable” button in your library account page, this means that the item is not renewable. These materials cannot be renewed: Restricted loan, Hourly loans, AT devices and items with reservations. Open Shelf, Periodical and Media loans are automatically renewed three days before the due date.

The maximum renewal limit is 3. After three renewals, if the item is reservation-free, you can request for a new loan cycle at the Loans Counter. Check the borrowing privileges page for more information or email libloan@tp.edu.sg for help.

Accessing your Favourites

How do I save my searches or items to My Favourites?

How do I save my searches or items to My Favourites?

After performing your search, you can save the search query and individual records from the search result to My E-Shelf.

Click on Sign in at the top header of the Poly LibSearch landing page and sign in with your credentials.

After performing your search, click on Save query to save the search. This will allow you to perform the same search in future.

Individual items from the search result can be saved by clicking on the pin icon located next to the title.

To view your saved searches and records, click on the pin icon located at the top header of the page, next to your name.

Here, you can view your saved records and searches as well as your search history. The search history contains only the searches that have taken place during a browser session.

You can organize your saved records by adding labels.

To remove saved records or searches from your e-shelf, click on the unpin icon displayed next to each item.