READ! Singapore is a nation-wide initiative by The National Library Board to promote
the culture of reading. It was inspired by the success of similar initiatives in cities like
Brisbane, Chicago, Houston and Seattle. The National Steering Committee has selected 12 books
in all the 4 official languages.
During these 10 weeks (May - Aug), readers can come together to have book discussions,
whether in formal groups such as book clubs, reading clubs, literary societies, book
discussion sessions in the libraries, schools, offices, book stores, coffee clubs,
community clubs or simply get together with their families and friends in informal social gatherings.
BookCross@SG (BCSG) is an initiative introduced by the National Library Board that promotes the joy of reading through the sharing of good books. It is a 'book X-change cycle' where books will be left in designated places (hotspots)for a person to pick up, (aka "catch"), and upon completion of reading, "release" the book at any hotspot for the next potential reader to catch it.
Marine Parade Public Library
(Café Galilee outlet, Level 1)
Central Public Library
(Basement 1, main entrance)
Civil Service College
(Atrium area, Level 3)
Ministry of Communications and Information
(former name MICA – main lobby)
What is this BookCross@SG?
It aims to encourage people to start their own informal reading groups or book-sharing movements in their schools or organisations. To help kick start the group, NLB would provide – for free and with practically no strings attached – a set of books, which the partner is free to keep, share and distribute. To obtain more books, the requirements are simple: organise at least two reading-related activities within six months.
How do I take part?
Send an email to ask@nlb.gov.sg with the following details:
Name of person
Organization/school (if applicable, including address)
NLB membership number (or NRIC number)
Contact information
Any other relevant details (e.g., your plans for your BookCross@SG group)
How it works
A Partner starts a BookCross@SG group (private or open to public) of at least 5 participants.
NLB provides an initial start-up collection between 100 to 200 books (via public donations). Based on group size, the start-up collection can be increased. The group must hold at least 2 activity sessions within 6 months.
The activity session can take place anywhere, in the park, at your house, at a café or even online.
Information on participation (e.g., books exchanged or discussed) must be submitted to NLB (e.g., photos, blog posts, Twitter, or Facebook) within 2 weeks of each session.
Transportation
Do note that you'll have to arrange for your own transportation to pick up these books at the National Library Building at 100 Victoria Street.
Publicity
Other details that you might be interested in:
You can print out the stickers from bookcrossing.com here - this states that these books are meant to be 'crossed' or exchanged.
You must be a Library member. (You may include non-members in your group.)
You must independently form your own group of at least 5 persons aged 13 and above.
Organizations are eligible but must register with 1 representative who is a Library member.
Of course, there are some terms and conditions that you should comply with:
Terms of Service
Partnership
NLB reserves the right to accept/reject all applications for BookCross@SG Partnerships.
By applying for a BookCross@SG Partnership, you agree to all Terms of Service as stated in this document.
BookCross@SG Groups/Activity Sessions
All activity sessions are to be fully self-funded (e.g., venues, refreshments).
Each group must maintain an average of 5 participants per session.
Each session must include at least 1 of the following activities: book exchange, book discussion, book talk or author talk/discussion.
Start-up Collections/Top-ups
Resources/books provided by NLB are to be used for community bonding and promotion of reading. The resources/books may not be sold or exchanged for monetary equivalent.
We will try to provide books that best match your group's profile. But unfortunately we will not be able to provide specific titles, as we depend on public donations.
Partners must pick up start-up collections at their own time/cost.
Only English and Chinese children/youth/adult/fiction/nonfiction collections are currently available.
General
All NLB-associated names and branding are not to be used to suggest endorsement of any BookCross@SG group or activity.
NLB reserves the right to modify any of the above terms and conditions at any time.
