National Library Board Celebrates 30 Years with READ30: A Citywide Celebration of Stories, Senses, and Singapore’s Love of Reading

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the National Library Board (NLB) has launched READ30, a special edition of the beloved Read! Fest that invites all Singaporeans to rediscover the magic of reading in bold, imaginative ways.

Officially kicking off today with a tour by Minister for Digital Development and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo, READ30 transforms Singapore into a vibrant reading trail, bringing books to life across libraries, public spaces, and even social media.

Immerse in “Worlds Within” – A Multi-Sensory Reading Wonderland

From 5 to 27 July 2025, the National Library Building plays host to Worlds Within, a marquee installation where literature comes alive through all five senses. Visitors can:

• Touch a life-sized book sculpture inspired by The Great Reclamation and The Wandering Earth
• Smell curated scents from literary worlds like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer and Land of Milk and Honey
• See dazzling visual quotes from Shantih Shantih Shantih
• Hear local authors read excerpts from Sing Lit gems like Nine Yard Sarees
• Taste treats inspired by The Way of Kueh and The Kamogawa Food Detectives

On weekends, book lovers can shop handcrafted merchandise at a charming Weekend Market or browse a curated collection by local bookstore Closetful of Books.

Explore Eight Pop-up Nodes Across Town

From 5 to 20 July, reading takes over city hotspots like ION Orchard, The Cathay, SOTA, and Raffles City with eight themed Pop-up Nodes. Each space is curated around themes such as food, travel, and wellness, and features book picks in all four official languages—selected by 30 well-loved local figures including Violet Oon and Shabir Sulthan.

Visitors can unwind in reading corners, snap bookish selfies at dedicated photo walls, and enjoy exclusive discounts from local bookstore partners like Wormhole, Book Bar, and Basheer.

Join the #HowDoYouRead Challenge

To extend the celebrations online, NLB is inviting everyone to show off their quirkiest reading styles via the #HowDoYouRead challenge. Share your favorite reading pose on Instagram or TikTok, tag @readingnationsg, and stand a chance to win a Kobo Libra Colour e-reader, courtesy of Rakuten Kobo.

Discover Presidential Picks at a Historic Pop-up Library

Launching on 12 July, the Presidential Pop-up Library offers a rare glimpse into the personal reading recommendations of Singapore’s past and present Presidents. Running until 2 September, this exhibit bridges literature, leadership, and legacy for readers of all ages.

A Legacy of Literacy: From Read! Fest to READ30

Since its inception in 2014, Read! Fest has inspired over 2 million participants, championing the National Reading Movement’s mission to “Read More, Read Widely, and Read Together.” This year’s READ30 amplifies that legacy—celebrating NLB’s three-decade journey with the most immersive, citywide edition yet.

According to NLB’s 2024 National Reading Habits Survey, more Singaporeans are picking up books than ever before. READ30 builds on this momentum, making reading fun, social, and sensorial—anytime, anywhere.

For event updates and full details, visit the National Reading Movement website.

All images credit to National Library Board.