From book swaps in workplaces to promoting Singapore
literature and reading in one’s mother tongue, the National Library
Board (NLB) is doubling its efforts to promote reading among adults
this year.
According to an inaugural study on reading habits here
that was conducted last year, eight in 10 Singaporean adults read
the news, a book and/or a magazine more than once a week. However,
when it comes to reading books, the proportion who picked up at
least one book in the past year fell to 64 per cent, out of the
3,515 residents surveyed.
Six in 10 of those surveyed can read in both English
and their mother tongue, but fewer than four in 10 (38 per cent)
read in their mother tongue more than once a week. Out of those who
read, almost all (98 per cent) read non-fiction while slightly over
half (57 per cent) opt for fiction.
Based on these findings, this year’s National Reading
Movement will focus on expanding adults’ reading diet by
encouraging them to read across different genres.
The NLB is working with local authors to promote
Singapore literature and ramping up its collections and programmes
conducted in mother tongue languages.
It also aims to make reading more convenient for adults
by providing a wider range of digital content, and by taking
reading to their offices.
More than 380 firms have partnered with the NLB under
the [email protected] initiative — DP Architects, for
instance, share curated reading recommendations to their staff and
participate in library programmes. PropNex organises mass reading
sessions, while Resorts World Sentosa and KPMG have introduced book
swaps to promote reading.
The NLB also plans to double the number of library
corners at senior activity centres to 30 by 2020.
Noting that the NLB has seen a 38 per cent hike in
books borrowed from its digital collections last year, Minister for
Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said: “Technology
(has enabled) our people to read and learn more conveniently,
wherever they are, whenever they want ... However, I also recognise
that nothing can replace the feel of a book ... Our libraries will
continue to cater to all modes of reading and learning.“
This year will also see four public libraries re-open
with niche features. Come March 18, Sengkang Public Library will
open its doors with a space dedicated to youth with activities
ranging from cosplay to programming.
Bukit Panjang Public Library, which re-opens in the
third quarter of the year, will feature an “immersive storytelling”
area, which calls on sound effects, lights and interactive visual
projections to bring stories alive to children.
Tampines Regional Library will also re-open in the
third quarter with double its previous floor area. It will feature
a new space for people to tinker with gadgets, design prototypes
and to bounce ideas off one another.
At the new Bedok Public Library, which opens in the
last quarter of the year, the NLB aims to promote digital literacy
for seniors in the neighbourhood through programmes to help them
pick up digital skills.
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