The National Library Board launched ReadSG in Singapore on Sept. 6, a new five-year national movement encouraging residents to read for at least 15 minutes a day to combat the rise of short-form, skimmable content. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam officiated the launch at the National Library Building in Bugis, serving as patron for the initiative.
ReadSG Challenge and Gamification Features
The ReadSG Challenge operates on the government citizen engagement platform CrowdTask SG from Sept. 6 through Dec. 31, incorporating personal goal-setting, reading streaks, experience points, and virtual coins. Participants can log their reading sessions on CrowdTask SG to collect virtual coins, where 1,000 coins can be exchanged for $1 on the portal run by the Government Technology Agency. National Library Board chief executive Melissa Tam revealed the gamification details, noting that the agency is still finalizing exact reward structures tied to the 15-minute daily reading threshold.
National Library Board chief executive Melissa Tam stated that the 15-minute daily goal draws partial inspiration from Japan’s popular 10,000-steps walking target. “The focus right now has been on physical health, but there is growing awareness that a holistic view of health encompasses the mental and cognitive as well,” Tam said. Participants can also earn bonus rewards, such as limited-edition library charms, by attending selected library and partner events between September and November.
Did You Know? The ReadSG campaign replaces the decade-old National Reading Movement and builds on previous efforts that include the 2005 Read! Singapore initiative and the 2016 National Reading Movement.
Long-Term Goals and Digital Age Challenges
National Library Board studies underscore the urgency behind the new campaign. A 2024 library study found that only 28 per cent of Singapore adults read books weekly, though that figure climbs to about 90 per cent when including news, social media articles, and websites. Furthermore, an international study called the Progress In International Reading Literacy Study, last conducted in 2021, showed that the percentage of Singapore students and parents who reported enjoying reading a lot fell consistently from 60 per cent in 2011 to about 50 per cent.
“We live in a world of extraordinary abundance, of content, information and stimulation,” Tam said, explaining that long-form reading helps build critical thinking, imagination, empathy, and attention. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam emphasized patience during the launch event, telling attendees that habits form slowly over time. “Five years is actually not a long time, but we hope in five years’ time to see that there will be something different in our habits,” he said.
By embedding reading goals into government engagement portals like CrowdTaskSG and partnering with more than 40 agencies—including the Early Childhood Development Agency, the Ministry of Education, and the Agency for Integrated Care—the National Library Board is attempting to reach residents across every life stage from early childhood to active ageing.
Charity Drives and Supporting Initiatives
Reading logged during September will contribute to Read for Good, the library’s annual charity reading drive formerly known as Read for Books. The drive targets 7.5 million reading minutes in 2026 to raise up to $150,000 for disadvantaged groups including kidsREAD, MINDS, and Preschool Market, with a goal of benefiting 10,000 individuals. Additionally, the Get It Now initiative makes a popular title available to all Libby users on the first Friday of each month through March 2027 without wait times.
The movement involves partnerships with more than 40 organizations, including SPH Media, Mediacorp, the National Arts Council, and the People’s Association. SPH Media chief executive Chan Yeng Kit noted that the company’s multi-language coverage in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil helps connect generations to storytelling and critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of ReadSG?
ReadSG is a five-year national movement by the National Library Board designed to encourage Singaporeans to develop a sustainable reading habit by reading for at least 15 minutes a day.
How can participants track their progress and earn rewards?
Participants can use the government citizen engagement platform CrowdTask SG to log their daily reading sessions, set personal goals, maintain reading streaks, and earn virtual coins and experience points.
How does the Read for Good charity drive work?
Every 15 minutes of reading logged between Sept. 6 and Oct. 7 contributes to the annual charity drive, which aims to reach 7.5 million reading minutes in 2026 to raise up to $150,000 for kidsREAD, MINDS, and Preschool Market.
How do you plan to incorporate 15 minutes of reading into your daily routine?