The National Library Board (NLB) has partnered with Rakuten Kobo to launch a new hybrid reading space at City Square Mall in Little India, aimed at encouraging greater public engagement with reading. The Sit-n-Read Node, which opened on October 19, combines access to physical books and digital e-books, marking Rakuten Kobo’s first standalone presence in Singapore.
Situated on the mall’s third floor and operating daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the space allows visitors to browse pre-loved physical books alongside curated selections of digital titles available on Kobo e-readers. Readers can sample excerpts from an array of e-books and, if interested, borrow the full versions through the NLB Mobile app for continued reading on personal devices.
The physical book collection includes titles suitable for all age groups. These pre-loved books are available for patrons to take home without formal borrowing, though NLB encourages their return to allow wider access for other readers. The initiative supports NLB’s broader ReadSG movement, a five-year national campaign introduced in September 2025 to promote daily reading habits by making books more accessible and integrated into everyday environments.
Melissa Tam, NLB’s chief executive, emphasized the goal of transforming everyday spaces into welcoming reading environments. “By bringing Sit-n-Read Nodes into high-footfall lifestyle spaces like City Square Mall, we are transforming ordinary spaces into inviting reading corners where people can discover books and enjoy a good read wherever they go,” she said.
Rakuten Kobo’s general manager for Asia, Julian Chou, highlighted the synergy between digital and physical reading experiences. “Bringing Kobo e-readers together with NLB’s collections gives visitors a chance to explore digital reading for themselves and discover how a good book can become part of their daily routine,” he noted.
Alongside the City Square Mall site, another Sit-n-Read Node opened on October 19 at Anchorpoint on Alexandra Road. This location features pre-loved magazines for browsing and includes a Browse-n-Borrow kiosk, which facilitates the collection of reserved items while the nearby Queenstown Library undergoes renovations.
Since their initial rollout in August 2025, the network of Sit-n-Read Nodes has attracted approximately 400,000 visitors. The initiative forms part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to promote reading as a daily habit and to expand access across diverse public spaces throughout Singapore.