As a student, looking for the perfect, cosy study spot (where you don’t have to spend a dime) can be pretty tough. Well, instead of spending big bucks at a cafe, why not make good use of the free public library closest to you? Best of all, most of them have free WiFi too.

Let’s check them out!

#1. Penang Digital Library, Georgetown

Step into the Penang Digital Library (PDL), and you’ll realise the shelves are free of physical books. This tech-reliant library has over 3,000 e-books, e-magazines and reference journals (membership required) as well as 10 iPads available for public use. It’s open 24/7 and even has an in-house cafe, which also operates 24 hours daily to fuel its hungry visitors. 

Address: No. 135 Jalan Masjid Negeri, Georgetown, Penang

Opening Hours: 24 hours

#2. Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam

The 6-story Raja Tun Uda Library (also known as the Selangor State Library) is yet another modern library well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Overlooking the Shah Alam Lake Gardens, it is a book lover's treasure cove complete with cosy study areas, free WiFi and a section for kids. It also boasts a 6D motion theatre, 3 gymnasiums and virtual reality (VR) units that offer a different learning experience for all ages!

Address: Jalan Kelab Golf 13/6, Seksyen 13, Shah Alam, Selangor

Opening Hours:

Monday: 10am - 7pm

Tuesday - Friday: 9.30am - 7pm

Weekends: 9.30am - 9pm (7.00pm for Creative Zone/Children’s Department)

Closed during public holidays

#3. Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL)

Do you have an affinity for everything Japanese? Then head to the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), a centre established to cultivate cultural exchange between Japan and Malaysia. The library in JFKL stores a wide range of reading material such as books (in English and Japanese) as well as Japanese language study guides, magazines, and of course, the mangas!

Address: 18th Floor, Block B, Northpoint, Mid Valley City No. 1 Medan Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours:

Tuesday - Friday: 10.30am – 6.30pm

Saturday: 10am – 6pm

#4. Sarawak State Library, Kuching

Overlooking a manmade lake, the Sarawak State Library offers a serene place to study. It is the state’s largest reference library and serves as a community centre of knowledge with access to books, electronic media, an e-Newspaper kiosk, local art collections, a Sensory Garden and even free WiFi with a speed of up to 100Mbps! It also hosts regular activities for children and interesting events and exhibitions.

Address: Jalan Pustaka, Petrajaya, Kuching, Sarawak

Opening Hours:

Monday - Friday: 10am - 7pm

Saturday - Sunday: 9am - 6pm

Closed during public holidays

#5. Sabah State Library, Tanjung Aru

The Sabah State Library is a newly-opened library that has replaced the demolished Kota Kinabalu library. The library spans a grand 62,000 feet with 5 floors of access to books, electronic media, computers, tablets, WiFi and more. Here, you’ll have a wide range of study spots to choose from including the Teens Reading Pod, Public Reading Space, and Reference Reading Pod.

Address: Tanjung Aru Plaza, 1, Jalan Mat Salleh, Sabah

Opening Hours: 

Monday - Sunday: 9am - 9pm

#6. Rumah Attap Library and Collective, Kuala Lumpur

Despite its name, Rumah Attap is not located on a rooftop. The place actually got its name from its location, tucked inside the iconic Zhonghsan Building in Kampung Attap.

Founded by 3 local arts and culture organisations — Amateur, In Between Cultura and Au Sow Yee Studio —, Rumah Attap serves as both a physical library and a space for intellectuals, artists and the public to meet up and engage in open dialogue. The library is small but it is cozy with shelves of books lining the walls for your perusal.

Address: 84C Jalan Rotan, Off Jalan Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 

Saturday - Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

#7. Mok Soon Sang Library, Ipoh

The Mok Soon Sang Library is one of the best equipped private libraries in Ipoh. It first opened its doors in 2015, with 3,000 out of the 5,000 featured books coming from the private collection of former SMJK Pei Yuan principal, Mok Soon Sang. Mok also contributed RM200,000 of his personal money to the construction of the library. The retiree had initially wanted to donate his large collection to the Anning Children’s Home only upon his death. After a talk with Master Shi Kong Chan, the founder of Anning Children's Home and Old Folks Home, he changed his mind.

Today, the library is home to some 30,000, catering to a diverse group of readers including kindergarten children, university undergraduates to members of the public. Membership is free but donations are welcomed.

Address: 36, Jln Tambun Baru, 31400 Ipoh, Perak

Opening Hours:

Tuesday - Sunday: 9am - 5pm

With so many public libraries, now you won’t be able to use the excuse “There’s no place to study” anymore!

Are you a bibliophile looking for new books to dip into? Here are 6 places for you to get cheap books in KL and PJ!