Release Date : 12 Apr 2012
Book lovers exchange used reads, share passion for reading
and recycle books to protect the environment
Singapore, 12 April 2012 – Book lovers can exchange their used books and share their passion for reading with other Singaporeans at the Book Exchange 2012 held at The Plaza, National Library Building on Saturday, 28 April. This event offers a platform for the sharing of books and gives used reads a new lease of life.
The National Library Board (NLB) is organising the Book Exchange in conjunction with the World Book and Copyright Day. This day is celebrated throughout the world to pay tribute to books and authors, and encourages people especially the young to discover the pleasure of reading. Through such events, NLB hopes to promote a vibrant and self-sustaining reading and learning culture in Singapore. Local celebrity, children's author and NLB's reading ambassador, Mr Edmund Chen, will be at the event to encourage participants to read more books and give away signed copies of his book “Dino Rulez” to the first 50 participants.
“Since 2009, the number of books exchanged has increased by more than 35 percent, and the number of participants has grown by more than 40 percent. We are encouraged by the public's strong support and enthusiasm towards the Book Exchange. Over the last three years, over 207,000 books have changed hands. We hope that this initiative will help participants discover new finds and good reads and continue to encourage Singaporeans to grow their reading appetite,” said Mrs. Elaine Ng, Chief Executive Officer of the NLB.
The Book Exchange 2012 hopes to see a 10 percent increase in the number of participants and the number of books exchanged. This initiative is sponsored by Keppel Land for the second year. Keppel staff will be donating their own books to this initiative. In addition, they will also be collecting books from their tenants and business associates in nine office properties donating them to the Book Exchange. As a contribution to community, staff of Keppel Land are lending their hands to the event by volunteering to unpack and display these books.
Mr Choo Chin Teck, Director of Corporate Services at Keppel Land said, “Our support of NLB's Book Exchange not only allows us to help nurture a reading culture among Singaporeans but also encourages all our stakeholders to recycle used resources including pre-loved books so that others can enjoy them.”
To participate in the Book Exchange, members of the public can drop off their books at any of the 24 public libraries from 13 to 27 April from 11.00am to 8.00pm. A coupon will be given for every book and can be used to exchange for other books at the main event on 28 April from 8.30am to 6.00pm. Adults' and children's fiction and non-fiction books in the four official languages are accepted. In the spirit of recycling, participants are encouraged to bring their own bags to store their books.
For the entire month from 12 April, in conjunction with this event, a host of exciting fringe activities have been organised to enrich their learning by participating in exciting programmes to be held in four official languages at our libraries island wide. For more information on the Book Exchange, members of the public can visit the website at www.pl.sg, contact NLB Helpdesk at tel: 6332 3255 or email:helpdesk@nlb.gov.sg.