American Embassy Helps Promote Reading Among Singaporeans

July 3, 2007

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Singapore donated a set of 200 award-winning books on American Fiction and Biography to the National Library Board (NLB) – the embassy’s “American Connections” partner -- to support the Board's new nationwide, community based BookCrossing project.  This initiative promotes a self-sustaining and learning community through proactively encouraging Singaporeans to read and share books.  Books are left in prominent public hotspots -- restaurants, book stores, and taxis -- for people to "catch" and, upon completion of reading, "release" at any hotspot for the next potential reader. Readers can share thoughts and reflections on the books at a designated website.  With BookCrossing, the NLB aims to instill a sharing culture among Singaporeans, targeting primarily working adults between the ages of 17 and 40.

The embassy’s sponsorship was recognized in posters displayed in libraries, public places and press releases.  The embassy’s logo is included in book stickers placed in all BookCrossing books.