Nickelodeon’s Garfield Chooses Laksa Over Lasagna at NLB’s First Character-Themed Pop-Up Library
An epic crossover starts today at the National Library Board’s (NLB) Garfield x Mr Kiasu pop-up library at The Centrepoint. Running from 23 October 2023 to March 2024, this is NLB’s first-ever character-themed pop-up library, and has been set up in partnership with Mr Kiasu’s co-creator Mr Johnny Lau, media and entertainment company Paramount Global, and Frasers Property Singapore. Patrons can look forward to borrowing a specially curated collection of e-titles and comics for reading within the library.
The rolling out of the Garfield x Mr Kiasu pop-up library is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to bring the library experience and resources beyond its premises through Nodes. To create a unique and immersive experience for patrons, the pop-up library is modelled after home-grown comic book character Mr Kiasu’s cosy Housing Development Board (HDB) home.
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “Our latest pop-up library brings together, for the first time, well-loved characters from both Singapore and America. This pop-up library also shows the exciting possibilities in reading and learning that partnerships can bring to our patrons. This is part of NLB’s LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) goal of building a vibrant Learning Marketplace where the everyone can access our content easily at everyday spaces.”
This pop-up library is also the final activation as part of Paramount’s year-round events across Asia, in celebration of the sassy lasagna-loving feline’s 45th anniversary. The 614sqft pop-up library features a variety of e-titles which will be made available for patrons to access and borrow. Aside from Garfield e-comics, a variety of e-books on related topics such as cooking, leisure, and wellness, will also be made available for loan via QR codes found on wall features at the pop-up library.
Patrons can take the opportunity to check out a wall mural featuring an artwork exclusively commissioned for the pop-up library. Conceptualised by Mr Johnny Lau, the mural illustrates the friendship of Garfield and Mr Kiasu, including how Mr Kiasu invited the beloved feline to Singapore to have a taste of laksa. The pop-up library also features an Instagram wall displaying a standee of Mr Kiasu with Garfield, which makes for a perfect photo spot. In addition, popular Garfield comic strips are screened and looped on-site for bite-sized entertainment. Fans of the feline can also expect to meet Garfield at the pop-up library sometime in the coming weeks. Details will be provided through NLB’s social media pages later.
In addition, patrons can browse a physical curated collection of around 120 Mr Kiasu and Garfield comic books. The books are donated by Mr Lau, the co-creator of Mr Kiasu, and the Global Publishing arm of Paramount respectively. While the books are not for loan, patrons are invited to make themselves at home at the various seating areas found around the pop-up library, to enjoy the collection on-site. Examples of titles available in the physical collection can be found in Annex A.
The Garfield x Mr Kiasu pop-up library can be found at Level 1 of The Centrepoint (#01-33K), Frasers Property Singapore’s mall located in the heart of Orchard Road It is open daily from 10am to 10pm, and patrons of all ages are welcome. In addition to being a library member, a myLibrary username is required to borrow e-comics and e-books. Singaporeans can sign up for a myLibrary username for free through the NLB Mobile app available on the Google Play or Apple’s app stores.
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About the National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections in Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).
For more information, please visit the NLB website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
About Mr Johnny Lau
Mr Johnny Lau is a Singaporean artist famous for his iconic comic series Mr Kiasu. Since the 1990s, Mr Lau has been appointed creative director or co-producer for a number of projects with various art and design forms, including publishing, TV, interior design and mentor for youth talents.
About Garfield
Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, Garfield is the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world. With his signature “cattitude,” Garfield is 100% that cat, and he doesn’t care who knows it. He’s selfish, sarcastic, lazy… and surprisingly endearing. Since its launch in 1978, the famous cat has spawned movies, TV shows, stage shows and merchandise, and has received four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program. Garfield content appears in 80 countries and has amassed over $3B in lifetime retail sales. In 2019, Paramount Global obtained full ownership of Paws, Inc., the entity holding exclusive rights to the Garfield franchise.
About Paramount
Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount's portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Paramount holds one of the industry's most extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, the company provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions.
About Frasers Property Singapore
Frasers Property Singapore is a strategic business unit of SGX-listed Frasers Property Limited, a multinational company that owns, develops, and manages a diverse and integrated property portfolio.
Frasers Property Singapore owns, develops and/or manages residential, retail, office and business space properties in Singapore.
Over the years, it has developed over 22,000 quality homes. It oversees a portfolio of 13 shopping malls in Singapore and six office and business space properties. Ten of the retail assets and one office property is held under Frasers Centrepoint Trust, and another office property is held under Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust.
For more information on Frasers Property Singapore, please visit frasersproperty.com/sg.
About Frasers Property Limited
Frasers Property Limited (“Frasers Property” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Frasers Property Group” or the “Group”), is a multinational investor-developer-manager of real estate products and services across the property value chain. Listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) and headquartered in Singapore, the Group has total assets of approximately S$40.1 billion as at 31 March 2023.
Frasers Property's multinational businesses operate across five asset classes, namely, residential, retail, commercial & business parks, industrial & logistics as well as hospitality. The Group has businesses in Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and China, and its well-established hospitality business owns and/or operates serviced apartments and hotels in over 20 countries and more than 70 cities across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Frasers Property is also the sponsor of two real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and one stapled trust listed on the SGX-ST. Frasers Centrepoint Trust and Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust are focused on retail, and industrial & commercial properties, respectively. Frasers Hospitality Trust (comprising Frasers Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust and Frasers Hospitality Business Trust) is a stapled trust focused on hospitality properties. In addition, the Group has two REITs listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited is the sponsor of Frasers Property Thailand Industrial Freehold & Leasehold REIT, which is focused on industrial & logistics properties in Thailand, and Golden Ventures Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust, which is focused on commercial properties.
The Group is committed to inspiring experiences and creating places for good for its stakeholders. By acting progressively, producing and consuming responsibly, and focusing on its people, Frasers Property aspires to raise sustainability ideals across its value chain, and build a more resilient business. It is committed to be a net-zero carbon corporation by 2050. Building on its heritage as well as leveraging its knowledge and capabilities, the Group aims to create lasting shared value for its people, the businesses and communities it serves. Frasers Property believes in the diversity of its people and is invested in promoting a progressive, collaborative and respectful culture.
For more information on Frasers Property, please visit frasersproperty.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Zoey Tan
Weber Shandwick
Tel: 9073 6422
E-mail: ztan@webershandwick.com
Quah Jia Ling
Weber Shandwick
Tel: 9699 0830
Email: jquah@webershandwick.com
ANNEX A
Physical titles available at Garfield x Mr Kiasu pop-up library
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S/N |
Book Covers |
Titles and Synopses |
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1. |
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Mr Kiasu: Everything Also I Want “Everything also I want” is the war cry of Mr Kiasu as he fights his daily battle in a world full of kiasus. |
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2. |
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Mr Kiasu: Everything Also First Class Mr Kiasu takes us on a wild jet-coaster ride into new physical realms for a surreal mental trip. For someone who strives to be at the top of his game, it’s better to be kiasu than sorry! Never settle for anything less, it’s first class or no class! |
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3. |
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Mr Kiasu in Singapore History Journey back in time as we unravel the colourful history of Singapore’s past, featuring re-imagined stories inspired by important moments in history. |
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4. |
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Garfield at large is the first Garfield comic strip compilation book Like every great lasagna, Garfield was born in the kitchen of an Italian restaurant on a winter's night in 1978, while outside snow fell like grated Parmesan cheese. He weighed five pounds, six ounces at birth - that's big for a kitten! - and right from the start showed a passion for Italian food. The restaurant owner, forced to choose between Garfield and closing his doors for lack of pasta, sold Garfield to a pet store. Garfield thought he was a goner until Jon Arbuckle walked in the door. |
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5. |
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Garfield hogs the spotlight is the last Garfield compilation book to be published in the original book format.
The witty kitty is back in the spotlight with a rollicking one-cat show! And this portly performer has an ego as big as his legendary appetite. So, whether he's practicing his Volleydog serve on Odie, pantsing the unsuspecting mailman, or trying to lure birds to his barbecue-grill-birdbath, Garfield always makes sure he's the centre of attention! |
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6. |
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Garfield worldwide is the fifteenth Garfield comic strip compilation book.
What Cat Knows More About: Defense... Economics... Patriotism? How does America's foremost feline – the inimitable Garfield – do it? There's so much lasagna to be eaten, so many dogs to kick around, that he doesn't have time to worry about current events. Our favourite fat cat is the maestro of mirth and the purveyor of puns to his millions of fans. Don't let the state of world affairs get you down. Garfield is the master at generating bunches of belly laughs among his legions of fans! |
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7. |
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Garfield large and in charge Garfield Rules! He's the Lord of lethargy, the sultan of shacking, and he's back with an all-new collection of comics. loyal subjects of his royal roundness are hereby ordered to make Jerry at the fat cat's kingdom, where laughter reigns supreme! |
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8. |
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Garfield thinks big Big thoughts from an even bigger cat! Garfield is a true Aristotle of cats, pondering such tough questions as: How many plates of lasagna can a cat consume in a single sitting? That’s a lot of food for thought, but you can bet this feline philosopher will gobble his way to an answer — and still find room for dessert! It’s nothing less than side-splitting fun, so don’t miss out as Garfield thinks (and eats) BIGGER than ever before!"
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