Singapore has launched a new five-year national movement aimed at encouraging residents to read for at least 15 minutes daily as part of efforts to bolster the country’s reading culture. The ReadSG initiative, introduced by the National Library Board (NLB) on September 6, seeks to foster sustainable reading habits through accessible, incremental steps.

The program features the ReadSG Challenge, hosted on the government citizen engagement platform CrowdTask SG, which allows participants to track their daily reading time and earn virtual rewards. Elements of the challenge include personal goal-setting, reading streaks, experience points, and virtual coins redeemable for various incentives. The pilot phase is scheduled to run through December 31, during which new features will be added based on user feedback.

Another component, Get It Now, offers users of the digital reading app Libby access to a selected popular title without waiting time on the first Friday of each month until March 2027. The launch of ReadSG coincided with the commencement of National Reading Month, an annual event held every September featuring reading activities for people of all ages across libraries nationwide.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who serves as patron of the movement, emphasized the need for patience in cultivating reading habits across all demographics. He noted that while five years is a relatively short period, the hope is to see discernible changes in reading practices within that timeframe.

NLB’s chief executive, Melissa Tam, highlighted the challenge of fostering deep reading skills amidst the abundance of digital content and information available today. She underscored the benefits of regular, long-form reading, which include enhanced critical thinking, imagination, empathy, and sustained attention. “Habits are built through small, consistent actions,” Tam said. “We are starting with a simple goal – just read for 15 minutes a day.”

The board aims to attract 150,000 participants by September 2027. In addition to virtual rewards, readers can earn limited-edition library charms by attending designated events hosted by NLB and its partners between September and November.

The ReadSG initiative also ties into the annual Read for Good charity drive, which has a 2026 target of 7.5 million reading minutes to raise up to S$150,000 (RM481,668) for underserved communities. Reading minutes logged through the ReadSG Challenge during September contribute to this fundraising effort, which supports organisations including kidsREAD, MINDS, and Preschool Market with books, learning aids, and donations.

The movement enjoys backing from over 40 partners and advocates, ranging from government agencies such as the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the Ministry of Education to media outlets and arts organisations. ECDA chief executive Ku Geok Boon highlighted the importance of reading from a young age to nurture attention and curiosity, while Agency for Integrated Care leader Tan Chee Wee expressed hopes of encouraging seniors to develop daily reading routines through Active Ageing Centres.

Media companies like SPH Media are also involved, promoting multi-language storytelling and critical thinking across Singapore’s diverse communities. Their chief executive, Chan Yeng Kit, noted that collaboration aims to foster a lifelong love of reading throughout the population.

Advocates of the movement see the 15-minute daily reading goal as an attainable entry point to revive Singapore’s reading culture. Lee Jia Li, founder of the Saturday Book Club, cited examples from countries like South Korea and Japan, where public spaces and everyday environments provide convenient access to books, and expressed optimism that Singapore could develop its own unique reading traditions over time.

The ReadSG campaign also includes other events such as Readers Assemble: A Marvel Festival, the Time of Your Life Celebration, and A Book A Day. According to Tam, the movement’s focus is long-term, aspiring not only to encourage initial engagement but to embed reading as a natural and meaningful part of daily life over the next five years.