Upcoming NLB30 Events and Activities

1. Book Bugs

Join us as we celebrate NLB30 with Book Bugs! Children and families can look forward to special NLB30 activities which will kick off at Bugcadia's Annual National Tournament (A.N.T.).

Discover Book Bugs through the years with our special showcase where we bring together all 425 cards from five editions of Book Bugs on display for the first time. As a treat for Book Bugs fans, two commemorative cards will also be unveiled and first available to redeem at the tournament to mark NLB's 30th anniversary.

More details coming soon: go.gov.sg/nlb-bookbugsevents

Date: June - August 2025

2. Biblioasia Jul-Sept Special Issue

The Jul-Sep 2025 BiblioAsia is a special issue to commemorate NLB30. Take a walk down memory lane (and Stamford Road) as we revisit the first mobile libraries, the history of legal deposit in Singapore, the former National Library building and more. Join us as we celebrate all things libraries and archives. It will have more pages, more stories and more great photos than usual!

Date: July 2025

3. READ30

This year’s Read! Fest returns with READ30, a special edition of the biennial festival celebrating the joy of reading.

Immerse yourself in a marquee experience where books come to life through your five senses. Discover the Presidential Pop-up Library, featuring books recommended by Singapore’s Presidents, alongside books about Presidents of Singapore. Explore curated book recommendations from 30 Singaporean personalities at pop-up Nodes stretching from Orchard Road to the National Library Building.

Join us for an unforgettable literary journey!

Date: July 2025

4. Open Book: The NLB30 Keynotes

We welcome you to join us at Open Book: The NLB30 Keynotes, a series of talks featuring thought leaders from diverse fields that explores the future of reading, learning and discovery.

Our first keynote, Reading The World, features Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an Emeritus Professor of Law at the National University of Singapore. The author or editor of 26 books, Professor Koh will share his perspectives on learning about and navigating world affairs on the page and on the global stage.

Sign-ups will be open soon, so follow us on social media to stay tuned!

Keynote 1: Reading The World

Date: 21 July 2025

Time: 11am – 12pm

Speaker: Professor Tommy Koh

5. Encyclopaedia of Singapore Tamils (EST)

The Centre for Singapore Tamil Culture, a community organisation, initiated the development of the Encyclopaedia of Singapore Tamils as a gift to the nation on its 60th birthday.

Supported by NLB and the National Arts Council, the digital encyclopaedia will serve to document key aspects of Singapore Tamils’ life and times, across a range of topics like society, arts, culture and education.

Date: 2 August 2025

6. Prominent Malays of Singapore (PMoS)

Discover the inspiring stories of Singapore's Malay community leaders and changemakers through a new online database. In collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Malay Studies, NLB is working together to showcase remarkable individuals who have shaped our nation over the past 60 years.

From community leaders and business pioneers to cultural icons and sporting heroes, these stories will be available in both English and Malay. This meaningful project is supported by key community partners including Berita Harian, the Malay Language Council, and the Malay Heritage Foundation Board.

Date: 30 August 2025

7. #Heart&Soul Showcase 

Held at library@orchard, the showcase will be an immersive and multi-sensorial experience that seeks to inspire visitors with a sense of optimism about their future and the future of Singapore. 

Launched as part of the Smart Nation 2.0 vision and jointly organised with Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), this flagship SG60 event presents a timely opportunity for all Singaporeans to reflect on our progress as a nation and be inspired about the opportunities ahead.

Date: 2H 2025

8. Love Our Libraries and Archives (LOLA)

Celebrate NLB’s 30th birthday with a month of festivities and fun at our libraries and archives across the island!

Stop by any of our branches and submit a digital love letter to show your love for the libraries, archives, and in the spirit of SG60, Singapore! Our libraries will also be beautifully decorated for the occasion, so don’t forget to snap a picture while you’re there.

Enjoy our month-long series of library programmes and activities, including the popular Big Book Giveaway, where you can pick up pre-loved books from NLB’s collections.

Date: September 2025

9. Donors' Appreciation Night

Donors' Appreciation Night is an annual event that celebrates the important role donors play in helping to preserve and promote Singapore's documentary heritage by contributing their invaluable materials.

Date: October 2025

10. Volunteers' Appreciation Evening

The Volunteers' Appreciation Evening celebrates NLB's volunteers, who have dedicated their time and effort in making the experience of learning and discovery at our libraries and archives an enriching one for all our patrons.

Date: November 2025

11. 700 Years: A History of Singapore (3rd Edition)

NLB will be launching a new and expanded third edition of this publication that continues to be a definitive reference for Singapore history. This update will include additional content and images meant to nurture a stronger appreciation of the collective Singapore experience and an understanding of Singapore’s heritage and identity.

Date: December 2025

NLB to the Power of 30: Our commemorative NLB30 logo

To celebrate NLB30 this year with our patrons, we have also taken this opportunity to refresh our NLB brand and designed a special commemorative logo, to reflect our renewed vision. In this digital age, we are always exploring new ways to discover and connect beyond just books. Honouring the past 30 years while looking to the future, we remain dedicated to inspiring discovery and growing with you. This is symbolised in our logo by “NLB to the power of 30”.