Over 84,000 books exchanged at this year’s NLB book exchange

SINGAPORE: More than 84,000 books were given a new lease of life at this year’s National Library Board book exchange.

The annual project aims to let book lovers refresh their collection while doing their bit for the environment.

Thousands thronged the National Library Building on Saturday to pick their favourite reads.

The books were deposited at 24 public libraries islandwide over the last two weeks.

The event, which is into its fourth year, aims to offer a platform for the sharing of books.

Besides promoting a reading culture, the National Library Board also wants to encourage book lovers to recycle.

The National Library Board said the response has been overwhelming.

"Compared to 2009, there has been an increase of more than 27,000 books. This morning we had people coming to queue up before 6am and some commented that this is the fourth exchange they have participated in," said Ms Shirley Lim, project manager, Book Exchange 2012, National Library Board.

— CNA/cc