This June, the National Library Board (NLB) invites families across Singapore to dive into a month-long celebration of learning, play, and discovery. From 1 to 30 June 2025, NLB’s libraries will transform into dynamic spaces filled with free programmes designed to inspire readers and young learners aged 0 to 17.
In celebration of NLB’s 30th anniversary, a special spotlight shines on the much-loved Book Bugs series with the Bugcadia Annual National Tournament (A.N.T.)—a key highlight featuring the debut of two commemorative cards and a full showcase of all 425 Book Bugs cards from past editions. The tournament will run from 21 to 22 June at the National Library Building.
For Young Readers (Ages 0–6):
- Baby Lapsit & Jiggle Read & Rhyme: Engage babies and toddlers through music and movement.
- Storytelling Sessions in all four official languages, including interactive titles like Top 10 Weirdest Critters of Singapore’s Rainforest.
- Budding Scientist Workshops: Hands-on science experiences like Ooey, Gooey, Slimy Science and The Science of Sound Transmission.
- DiscoverTech Workshops: Children will explore coding, 3D art, and problem-solving with sessions like BeeBot Challenge and Doodle Dimensions.
For Children & Tweens (Ages 7–12):
- STEM Workshops such as Cycloid Drawing Machine and Coding with Scratch & Python.
- Eco-Themed Storytelling: Learn about marine life and sustainability through puppet shows and crafting sessions.
- Creative Writing & Book Clubs: Unleash imagination with author-led storytelling and creative writing workshops.
- Arts Programmes: Join theatrical storytelling sessions like Once in a Blue Moon by Improvper Conductors.
For Teens (Ages 13–17):
- Teens Takeover: A curated series of exclusive workshops exploring wellness, digital storytelling, and AI-assisted creative writing.
- Quantum: A 100-Year Story: Explore the science behind quantum physics and its real-world impact.
- Dungeons & Dragons: Dive into storytelling and role-playing with peers.
Ongoing Programmes & eResources:
- Spark!Lab™ @ Punggol Regional Library: In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, this hands-on space invites young minds to invent, tinker, and solve real-world challenges.
- Video-on-Demand Platforms: Access family-friendly streaming content via AVOD, Kanopy Kids, and medici.tv.
- The Little Book Box: A subscription service that delivers curated book bundles to young readers’ homes.
Multilingual Offerings
NLB continues its commitment to linguistic diversity with Chinese, Malay, and Tamil storytelling sessions and reading clubs conducted islandwide. Highlights include Jia Jia Laoshi Storytime Adventures, Cerita Kita (Our Stories), Teater Pujangga Ali musical performance, and Kathai Kathaiyaam Tamil storytelling.
All programmes are free unless otherwise stated and require registration for selected sessions.
NLB30 Highlight: Book Bugs Extravaganza
- Bugcadia’s Annual National Tournament (A.N.T.):
- 21–22 June 2025
- National Library Building
- Features all 425 Book Bugs cards from 5 editions and 2 new NLB30 commemorative cards.
- Book Bugs activities, games, and rewards.
The Little Book Box
- Subscription service for kids aged 18 months to 9 years.
- 8 curated books in English and Mother Tongue Languages delivered to homes or lockers.
Programmes for Ages 0–3
- Baby Lapsit: Bonding through rhymes and songs (0–12 months).
- Jiggle Read & Rhyme: Movement-based storytime (1–3 years).
Programmes for Ages 3–6
- Marine Biodiversity Carnival (28 June @ Central Public Library).
- Top 10 Weirdest Critters storytelling (8 June @ Central Public Library).
- Discover Numeracy Through Stories (11 June @ library@harbourfront).
- Police Pals @ Libraries: Meet police mascots through storytelling.
- Budding Scientist Series:
- Rugged Reptiles (14 June @ Sengkang)
- Slimy Science – Make Slime! (21 June @ Jurong West)
- The Science of Sound (28 June @ Pasir Ris)
- Sensory Storytelling & Storytime Sessions (various locations).
- STEM & DiscoverTech workshops:
- Bear Hunt & Computational Thinking
- Doodle Dimensions with 3D Pens
- BeeBot Coding Adventure
- Planting a Seed: Nature-themed storytelling with Alice Bianchi-Clark.
- Eco Puppet Shows (27 June @ Sembawang).
- Engineering Storytelling with Courtney Kelly (14 June @ Bishan).
Programmes for Ages 7–17
- Spark!Lab at Punggol Library: Hands-on invention activities.
- Dungeons & Dragons storytelling (28 June @ Choa Chu Kang).
- Unplugged Tabletop Game Sessions at various libraries.
- Digital Storytelling with AI (5 June @ Tampines).
- Quantum Physics Talk (28 June @ library@harbourfront).
Reading & Writing Programmes
- Children Write:
- Holidays Done Write (1 June @ Punggol)
- The Cat Who Came and Took Over (14 June @ Bishan)
- The Polished Book Club featuring Artemis Fowl (1 June @ Cheng San).
- Fantastical Tales immersive animation screenings (various dates).
Science, Coding & Arts (7–12 yrs)
- Cycloid Drawing Machine Workshop (29 June @ Tampines).
- Coding with Scratch (3 June @ Bedok).
- Python Programming for Beginners (17 June @ Sengkang).
- Paper Craft Moon Sea Jellies (14 June @ Central).
- Playtime with Timmy and Wildlife (28 June @ Bedok).
- Stories of Survival (21 June @ Former Ford Factory).
- Improvper Conductors Storytelling Theatre (14 & 28 June).
eResources
- Access Video On Demand (Just for Kids)
- Kanopy Kids
- medici.tv – Classical music and performances.
Multilingual Storytelling
Chinese Programmes
- Avid Reading Clubs, Jia Jia Laoshi Adventures, and Little Avid Readers across multiple branches.
- Capybara Book Launch Party (1 June @ Bishan).
Malay Programmes
- Cerita Kita (Our Stories) and Kelab Baca Ria with curated stories and heritage.
- Teater Pujangga Ali – Musical theatre show (28 June @ Woodlands).
Tamil Programmes
- Book Ninjas Club (ages 5–6) and Book Rangers Club (ages 7–10) online.
- Partner reading clubs at Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West, and others.
- Regular Tamil storytelling sessions across public libraries.
For full programme details and registration: NLB What’s On
