Comparison

My Library (LCSD) vs NLB Mobile

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

My Library (LCSD)

Access Hong Kong Public Library services conveniently. Manage multiple accounts, search and reserve materials, receive personalized notifications, and pay fines. Locate nearby libraries and scan ISBNs for quick information.

Highlights
  • Manage multiple library accounts
  • Search, reserve, and renew materials
  • Personalized alert services
  • Locate nearest libraries via GPS
  • Scan ISBN barcodes
  • Pay fines and fees via mobile payment
Features
Read full description

"My Library" (the app), developed and maintained by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, provides a safe and convenient channel to access the services of the Hong Kong Public Libraries. Through the app, members of the public can: > access to and Management of multiple library accounts > viewing of transaction history > search, reserve and renew library materials > save and retrieve library materials in My Lists > check the addresses and opening hours of public libraries > locate the nearest libraries via GPS > use personalised alert services to receive notifications, including pick-up notices and due date reminders > search library materials by scanning the ISBN barcode > share the information of library materials to friends through e-mail, instant messaging tools and social sharing platforms > paying overdue fines and reservation fees by mobile payment services Personal Information Collection Statement 1. The personal data collected in the app will only be used for processing your library account or handling your enquiry. 2. The personal data required in the app include your library card number/Hong Kong identity card number and your library account password. Whether you store your personal data in the app is optional. If you have logged in with your Hong Kong identity card number, it will be converted and saved as a library card number. 3. The app will collect the device model, system version, usage and login records as general statistical data for helping the LCSD compile statistics or diagnosing system problems, so as to enhance the app and facilitate your use of our library services. 4. The app will obtain your location data via GPS and show you the nearest public libraries and any related information. Your location data will not be saved in the app. 5. The function of direct phone calling to branch libraries is provided in the app, but it will not collect any personal data. 6. The personalized library information notification service provided in the app will send the identifier of your device together with your alert messages to Apple Inc., from whom the messages will be pushed to your device. 7. The social media sharing function for library item information provided in the app will not release your personal data to any external parties. However, the privacy policy for handling personal data from other social media is beyond the control of LCSD and LCSD would not accept any joint liability. 8. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is committed to ensuring that all personal data provided through the app is handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. For details about the privacy policy of the LCSD, please refer to the website at the following URL: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/info_pdo.php

About

NLB Mobile

Access a vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and newspapers. Borrow physical items, take online courses, and manage your library account and family's accounts easily. Discover new digital resources and log in securely with QR Login.

Highlights
  • Read ebooks and audiobooks
  • Access eMagazines and eNewspapers
  • Take online courses
  • Borrow physical library items
  • Manage library accounts
  • QR Login for easy sign-in
Features
Read full description

This application is brought to you by the National Library Board, a Singapore Government Agency. Discover a world of learning with the NLB Mobile app, anywhere, anytime: • Read ebooks and listen to audiobooks • Read current eMagazines and eNewspapers • Access online courses • Borrow physical library items using your mobile device • Discover new digital resources and sign in to our websites easily with QR Login • Manage your library account, and also your family’s accounts

Screenshots

My Library (LCSD)1 screens
NLB Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: My Library (LCSD) at 5.0 against NLB Mobile's 3.3. My Library (LCSD) also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). NLB Mobile's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (35 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

My Library (LCSD) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NLB Mobile has 35 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

My Library (LCSD) ships an update every 4 months, NLB Mobile monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
My Library (LCSD) versus NLB Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMy Library (LCSD)NLB Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better3.3 (35 ratings)
Positive reviews—41.3% of reviews
Number of ratings335 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeisure and Cultural Services DepartmentNational Library Board Singapore

Customer experience

My Library (LCSD)

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

NLB Mobile

All ratings35 ratings
Positive54.3%
Neutral8.6%
Negative37.1%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive41.3%
Neutral16.0%
Negative42.7%

In-app purchases

None

My Library (LCSD)

No in-app purchases

None

NLB Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is My Library (LCSD) free?
My Library (LCSD) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NLB Mobile free?
NLB Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, My Library (LCSD) or NLB Mobile?
My Library (LCSD) is rated higher. My Library (LCSD) averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while NLB Mobile averages 3.3 from 35 ratings.
Do My Library (LCSD) or NLB Mobile have ads?
Neither My Library (LCSD) nor NLB Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, My Library (LCSD) or NLB Mobile?
My Library (LCSD) ships an update every 4 months, and NLB Mobile monthly. Most recently, My Library (LCSD) was updated on November 1, 2026 and NLB Mobile on November 11, 2026.

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