Release Date : 19 Jun 2010
Quest – Reading Programme Targeting Reluctant Young Readers Returns With Even More Exciting Plot and Activities!
Quest successfully reached out to over 70,000 children with 1.5 million collectible cards fully redeemed since launch in June 2009
Singapore, 19 June 2010 – Following a very successful run of Quest I in June 2009, the National Library Board (NLB) today launched Quest II, with a new series of collectible cards and story, written by one of NLB's very own children's librarians.
Quest is an innovative reading programme to cultivate the love for reading among reluctant young readers, particularly boys aged 7-12 years old, with the use of collectible cards. Marrying boys' love for collectible cards and fantasy read, Quest was an instant hit when it was first launched. Over 70,000 children have read Quest and redeemed 1.5 million cards with about 2 million book loans.
With Quest II, children can look forward to the second of this four-part fantasy adventure story narrated on the back of 60 new collectible cards. The cards can be redeemed at all public libraries except library@esplanade with loans of any four books.
"Libraries today have evolved and have extended beyond the primary functions of loans and research. In addition to existing library services such as reading clubs and story-telling, the introduction of stories told through the use of collectible cards will appeal and introduce the library as a social learning hub to our intended target group, boys aged 7-12 years old. Through this initiative, we hope to draw children in and make the library a space for them to explore information and interact with like-minded peers," said Dr N Varaprasad, Chief Executive of NLB.
The launch event also saw a lively card exchange session amongst Quest fans as well as children participating in COSPlay competition, parent-child colouring competition and Manga Art Workshop where the artists of Quest will shared the basics of manga drawing. An exhibition featuring entries for the "Quest of the Rain Dragon" Art Competition also drew the crowds' interest. The competition was held earlier in March where participants were invited to design the 'Rain Dragon', the main character for Quest.
In the coming months, Quest II will see more collaborations with schools where outreach activities in the form of graffiti artworks and mass borrowing of books in schools will be introduced. The Quest II website to be launched in July will boast more illustrations and content and allow Quest fans to check out the latest Quest news such as reading promotions, Quest-related competitions and outreach activities.
In addition to building up their collections of the entire series of Quest collectible cards, Quest fans can also look forward to redeem a wide array of limited edition Quest collectibles such as caps, tumblers, T-shirts and stickers for Ez-link cards. For more information on Quest, members of the public can visit http://quest.pl.sg