Book Bugs Keeping Reading Scene Abuzz For Young Readers Since 2016
Join us as our flagship reading programme kicks off NLB30 celebrations with a display of all 425 Book Bugs cards, exciting activities and special collectibles from June to August
20 June 2025 — NLB kicks off its 30th anniversary celebrations with the Book Bugs: NLB30 Special Mission. Featuring a lineup of fun and engaging activities, the celebrations not only commemorate the evolution of Book Bugs but also NLB’s longstanding role in fostering a love of reading in children.
Book Bugs: NLB30 Special Mission
Embark on the NLB30 Special Mission with highlights and activities from June to August:
- Book Bugs: Unearthing Memories, a first-ever exhibition featuring all 425 cards across five editions of Book Bugs. The showcase will be first available for viewing at the Central Library from 21 June to 22 June, and subsequently travel to five libraries and the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Discover the unique stories behind past Book Bugs editions, explore fun facts and earn collectibles!
- From 24 June to 27 July, patrons can view the showcase panels at selected libraries as well as complete activities to redeem a limited-edition NLB30 Book Bugs postcard.
- Alongside the exhibition, Bugcadia’s Annual National Tournament (A.N.T.), part of the Book Bugs: Tales of Travellers campaign will also be held at the National Library Building from 21 June to 22 June. In this finale event for the fifth edition of Book Bugs, compete with other players in exciting “Classic Mode” or opt for friendly fun in “Storytelling Mode” where players can flex their creative muscles!
- In celebration of NLB30, two special commemorative cards “Pagie” and “Empress” are available for redemption upon completion of the activities at the exhibition. The cards will subsequently be available in Book Bugs card dispensing machines from 23 June to 30 June at all public libraries except Bukit Batok Public Library, Marine Parade Public Library, Central Arts Library, Orchard Library, and library@chinatown.
|
NLB30 Book Bugs card (#101 Pagie) |
NLB30 Book Bugs card created in partnership with the Asian Civilisations Museum (#102 Empress) |
- The full Book Bugs: Unearthing Memories exhibition will be available for viewing at ACM from 29 July to 17 August. In partnership with ACM, we invite patrons to become a Heritage Explorer with Empress and take part in special NLB30 Book Bugs activities at ACM. This is the last chance to collect the Empress commemorative card and limited-edition NLB30 Book Bugs tokens!
Book Bugs Evolution
Spanning across five editions, the Book Bugs programme was launched in 2016 and aims to instil positive reading habits among young patrons while boosting book loans and library visits. Players earn points by borrowing books or eBooks, which can be redeemed for Book Bugs cards. There have been various quizzes, community events, and playoffs that give opportunities for players to earn bonus points and collect tokens. More than just screen-free entertainment, the Book Bugs card game sparks children’s cognitive skills as they take charge of their gameplay.
The response to Book Bugs has been encouraging. We have seen children, particularly among boys, borrowing and reading more during the campaign periods. But in general, we see the positive impact on loans and reading extending beyond the campaign period. For instance in the 2022 edition, patrons who started borrowing from NLB during the Book Bugs campaign, continued to borrow about 11 books per month after the campaign. Patrons who were already borrowing from NLB before the Bug season increased their borrowing, from about eight books a month before the Bug season, to about 14 books per month after the campaign.
As of April 2025, more than 486,000 patrons have participated in Book Bugs activities and events, with over 9.1 million cards redeemed. Through its enriching literary activities, Book Bugs continues to inspire young patrons by strengthening their connection to our libraries. The libraries have become a vibrant meeting place for Book Bugs enthusiasts where young patrons eagerly trade cards and compete in friendly matches, fostering a community that reads, collects, and discovers together.
NLB Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong said: “Over the last 30 years, NLB has found creative ways to help curious young readers discover new knowledge and adventures through the wonderful world of books. The Book Bugs programme has been a beloved initiative among children and families, making it the perfect way to launch NLB30. With each new edition, we have refined and expanded the programme to keep it engaging and relevant, reflecting our commitment to evolving with our community needs. Over the years, Book Bugs has drawn more children to our public libraries and deepened their engagement with books, reinforcing the vital role libraries play in lifelong learning. Just as Book Bugs kickstarts a child’s reading journey, it is only fitting that it also kickstarts NLB30—a celebration of the past, present, and future of libraries and archives, as we continue to nurture curiosity, discovery and welcome families to join us in this milestone celebration.”
More details in the Annex below.
About Book Bugs
Book Bugs incorporates gamification elements to transform the way children read. Players are awarded points when they borrow books or eBooks which can then be used to redeem Book Bugs cards. There are also various quizzes, pop-up events, and playoffs that give opportunities for players to earn bonus points, Book Bugs merchandise and collect tokens.
The fifth edition of Book Bugs, Book Bugs: Tales of Travellers is set in the world of Bugcadia where participants collect Book Bugs cards and stamps in their Bugcadia Travel Guide.
Find out more about Book Bugs: Tales of Travellers at go.gov.sg/nlb-bookbugs
For updates on Book Bugs: NLB30 Special Mission, visit go.gov.sg/nlb30bb
Stay up to date with more Book Bugs trivia, do-it-yourself activities, programmes and events on NLB’s social media channels.
About the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) award
The “Book Bugs: Tales of Travellers” programme has been recognised as a Top 10 finalist for the IFLA PressReader International Marketing Award 2025. The award ceremony will be held at Astana, Kazakhstan on 20 August 2025. As a Top 10 finalist, NLB will receive a Certificate of Recognition. NLB previously received recognition from the IFLA PressReader International Marketing Award as a Top 10 finalist for its "A Cuppa Read: Grow with Every Read" campaign in 2020 and the first-place winner for its "Go Library" campaign in 2009.
-END-
About 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 Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
About Asian Civilisations Museum
The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) presents the art and history of Asia through the lens of Singapore as a cosmopolitan Asian port city – connecting people and cultures in Asia and beyond. As the only museum in the region with a pan-Asian scope, ACM is devoted to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia through our outstanding collection of masterpieces and ground-breaking special exhibitions. Opened in 1997 and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003, the museum traces its roots to the Raffles Museum, founded in the middle of the 19th century. ACM celebrates Asian art, craft, and imagination through four broad cross-cultural themes – Maritime Trade, Faith and Belief, Materials and Design, and Peranakan art and culture.
For more information, visit www.acm.org.sg or follow the museum on Facebook (@asiancivilisationsmuseum) and Instagram (@acm_sg).
For media enquiries, please contact:
Quah Jia Ling
Weber Shandwick
+65 9699 0830
JQuah@webershandwick.com