The Big Book Giveaway is taking place this weekend, Saturday, 19 September and Sunday, 20 September 2026, at the National Library Building along Victoria Street. This annual community event by the National Library Board is where the public can take home pre-loved books and audio visual items from the Board’s collection, free of charge.
NLB’s Big Book Giveaway 2026
Here are something to know about the upcoming Big Book Giveaway 2026.
1. Time and Venue of the Big Book Giveaway
The Big Book Giveaway 2026 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 19 and 20 September 2026. It will be held from 10 am to 4 pm on each day.
The venue of the Big Book Giveaway is at The Plaza, Level 1 of the National Library Building at 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064.
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2. 60,000 Pre-loved Library Books
60,000 pre-loved library books will be up for grabs at the Big Book Giveaway.
3. 10 Books in 10 Minutes
Each participant can select up to 10 books and AV items, with a browsing time of 10 mins allocated per entry to ensure everyone gets a chance to select their books. They can then take their selected items home and give them a second life.
4. Donate Your Pre-loved Books
The Big Book Giveaway is not only a time to take but it is also a time that you can share your own pre-loved books as well. You can donate up to a maximum of 100 books while at the Big Book Giveaway. Help contribute to the circular economy and let others enjoy books that you no longer want.
However, do take note that some types of books will not be accepted. These are religious materials, textbooks and assessment books, magazines, annual reports, DVDs, CDs or Audio-visual materials, and damaged or worn-out items.
Remember, this is a chance to pass on books that are in good condition so that others can enjoy them.
5. Make a Goodwill Donation to MINDS, National Library Board’s Adopted Charity
The Big Book Giveaway is a chance to pick up some reads for free. If you feel so compelled, it is also a chance for you spread some goodwill to others.
While at the Big Book Giveaway 2026, you can make a goodwill donation to MINDS to support their work. MINDS is a social agency that supports persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, and they are the National Library Board’s adopted charity.
Part of the National Reading Month
The Big Book Giveaway is part of the National Reading Month, a month-long celebration of reading with activities for all ages across libraries islandwide.
Other initiatives that are being held to encourage reading include Read for Good, NLB’s annual charity drive which is running till 7 October, and the ReadSG Challenge.
