Get reading tips at talks organised by ST and NLB

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 8, 2026

The Straits Times and the National Library Board are launching a 10-part talk series starting October 29 to help the public manage information overload and promote reading, featuring ST journalists sharing their news consumption strategies. This initiative supports NLB’s ReadSG campaign to foster a reading culture in Singapore and connects curated books with current issues to encourage lifelong learning and critical thinking.

A new series of talks aimed at promoting reading and managing information overload will begin at the National Library on October 29, organised jointly by The Straits Times and the National Library Board (NLB). The launch event will feature four ST journalists discussing strategies for handling the constant flow of news in a fast-paced newsroom environment.

The panel includes Wong Yang, Natasha Zachariah, Farzanah Friday, and See Kai Wen, who will share insights on how they balance consuming news and carving out time for personal reading. Clement Yong, arts correspondent for The Straits Times, will moderate the discussion titled “How We Stay On Top Of The News.” Wong is known for his role in the Gerry and Mandy explainer video series; Zachariah hosts ST’s current affairs podcast The Usual Place; Farzanah contributes multimedia content for ST’s social and video platforms; and See hosts the Headstart podcast.

This event marks the beginning of a 10-part series leveraging the expertise of ST’s writers across various fields. Attendees will also be introduced to curated books and resources available at the library. The collaboration reflects the longstanding partnership between The Straits Times and the NLB, which previously collaborated on the askST@NLB programme from 2016 to 2022. That series, launched alongside the National Reading Movement, consistently attracted strong public interest.

The timing coincides with the recent launch of NLB’s five-year ReadSG campaign, which aims to cultivate a nationwide culture of reading. Jaime Ho, editor at The Straits Times, emphasized the importance of reading in journalism and public engagement, noting that the partnership supports efforts to connect content creators with Singaporeans and encourage reading as part of a broader public service mission. She also referenced their successful recent collaboration on a weekly crossword puzzle featuring local themes.

Melissa Tam, NLB’s chief executive officer, highlighted the goal of making reading more accessible by linking books with current conversations and trusted journalistic content. She expressed hope that this approach would help people develop and maintain reading habits that foster curiosity and critical thinking.

Following an October launch and a break during the upcoming school holidays, the talk series will resume in January with ST senior editor Sumiko Tan and Invest editor Tan Ooi Boon, who will address the topic “Mind, Body and Wealth,” focusing on how reading supports an active and financially healthy lifestyle. February’s session will feature travel editor Clara Lock sharing advice on stress-free travel through reading, while March will see correspondent Akshita Nanda discuss self-care and mental well-being.

Additional book recommendations are available through The Straits Times’ BookTalk column and the arts team’s book reviews, which spotlight Singaporean literature and other titles.

Admission to the talks is free but requires prior registration. The sessions will continue monthly on the first Thursday starting in January. Further details and registration information are available online.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.