The next time you stop for a cup of coffee, you may be able to get some ideas of what to read too as the National Library Board (NLB) has partnered with homegrown BreadTalk Group to spread the word on the content and knowledge resources available to locals in Singapore.
This new initiative is part of NLB’s LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) vision to build a Learning Marketplace with nodes across Singapore that bring libraries and their array of content to patrons regardless of where they are.
Gachapon Machines at Food Courts
For a start, there are gachapon machines set up in BreadTalk Group’s food courts at popular malls such as NEX, Century Square, 313 @ Somerset and Westgate, and at the BreadTalk IHQ in Tai Seng.
After purchasing a drink at these food courts, patrons will be to collect a token from the drink stall’s cashier and use it to redeem a free mini-book keychain which carries a QR code that delivers four eBooks related to food to them.
No minimum spend is required for these limited redemptions.
Installations at Dining Tables
From 25 April 2022, there will be 3D, life-like installations of dining tables at the various food courts under the BreadTalk Group. The tables will display well-loved local and international dishes aligned with the theme of the respective food courts. By scanning the QR codes, patrons will be able to access food-related e-resources.
What’s more, on weekends, patrons will also have a chance to redeem free local food-themed bookmarks at the installations.
Reading Everywhere
NLB Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “Food and reading are pleasurable pursuits for many, and we are happy to be able to partner BreadTalk Group to offer that. Patrons at these selected food courts can now easily access our rich resources of books, magazines, photos, and other items, to nourish both body and mind. These nodes will add on to the vibrancy of our Learning Marketplace as envisioned in our LAB25 plan, and allow us to be a constant companion to our patrons to read and learn wherever they are.”
Mr Frankie Quek, BreadTalk Group ASEAN Country Head, said: “The sharing of food has always been a part of our collective Singaporean experience; a powerful conversation-starter and a tool for bonding. This partnership with NLB is a natural extension of that experience, promoting the joy of reading and learning over our shared loved for food. It has always been BreadTalk Group’s vision for our F&B spaces to serve as a hub for the community, and NLB’s nodes provide an experiential avenue to engage our customers and excite their senses even further.”
