Reading event at National Library Building draws a crowd

SINGAPORE ­– A reading event today (July 13) featuring two of the three children’s titles that were removed from public libraries drew about 400 people, according to estimates by the organisers.

Held at the National Library Building atrium, Let’s Read Together! seeks to highlight what the organisers feel is important in children’s literature, said co-organiser Jolene Tan, speaking at the event.

“We think that some of the books that have been withdrawn from the library are among the books that we think are useful for this purpose,” she said. “Since they are no longer available here, we thought it would be nice to have an event where we make them available to those people who would want to read them.”

It was reported on Tuesday that the National Library Board (NLB) had withdrawn three children’s book titles – And Tango Makes Three, The White Swan Express and Who’s In My Family?: All About Our Families – as they did not promote pro-family values.

The organisers set up a makeshift library at today's event, offering about eight to 10 children’s books, including And Tango Makes Three and Who’s In My Family?: All About Our Families, for participants to borrow and read. The other books talk about different family structures and sex education. Participants also brought their own books to read or read to their children.