Reading in Macao, with a New “Regulation”!
On February 1, 2026, the Regulation to Promote Public Reading formulated by the State Council was officially promulgated, establishing a benchmark for public reading. While Macao has also carved out its distinctive path toward becoming a “City of Reading”. Following the spirit of the Regulation, the Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau continues to promote a range of initiatives:
1. Enriching Your Reading Life
| April Reading Activities |
The Regulation designates the fourth week of April as the National Reading Campaign Week. Each year during April, the Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau organizes activities related to “4.23 World Reading & Copyright Day”. Building on this tradition, “Macao Just Read-National Reading Campaign Week 2026” will be held this year, enabling citizens to experience the pleasure of reading in diverse ways . |
| Traditional and Digital Reading |
The Regulation recommends blending digital and traditional reading, optimizing digital content, and improving accessibility. The Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau provides the SUEP eBook platform, “QQ Reading”, and “OverDrive eBooks” platform focus on English and Portuguese contents, offering a wide range of themes from both local and international sources to provide readers with a wide variety of options. |
| Used Book Exchange |
The Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau regularly hosts “Book Exchange” and “Book for Book” events to encourage book circulation and exchange. |
2. Enhancing the City’s Care for Different Groups
| Parent-Child Reading |
In line with the Regulation’s emphasis on family reading, the Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau has been consistently promoting parent-child reading. In 2023, the library launched the “Toddler Reading Reward Programme”, offering “reading packs” to infants under 24 months holding a Macao Resident Identity Card (BIR) and a library card issued by the Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau. |
| The programme “Roaming with Picture Books for Infants and Toddlers” uses sensory stimulation and interactive activities to engage infants and introduce them to shared reading. Weekend programmes such as “Reading Promotes Growth” and “The World of Stories” employ picture-book storytelling and creative games to spark children’s interest in reading and enhance family reading literacy. |
| The Cultural Affairs Bureau, in collaboration with the Education and Youth Development Bureau, launched the “Fun Family Reading” activity, inviting families to take part in shared reading sessions at the library. Furthermore, schemes like the “Student Fun Reading Award Scheme” and the “Fun Reading School Commendation Scheme” encourage students to make use of library resources and help foster a reading culture in schools. |
| As Macao’s first children’s library, the Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park, together with 11 other public libraries equipped with children’s reading zones, is dedicated to promoting parent-child reading and supporting family growth . |
| Barrier-Free Reading |
The Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau is equipped with induction loop kit systems and magnifying glasses. Depending on spatial conditions of individual branches, accessible restrooms, desktop electronic magnifiers, reading devices for the visually impaired, barrier-free ramps, and elevators are provided to deliver appropriate services. In addition, the library’s audiobook resources help expand inclusive reading experiences. |
| Reading for Seniors |
To meet the reading needs of the elderly and enrich their daily lives, the Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau organizes the “Fun Reading Guide for Seniors” to promote reading habits among seniors in the community. The “Library e-Learning” programme assists seniors in accessing electronic reading resources and other public services. “Healthy Living Workshops” encourage seniors to participate in diverse activities such as muscle care and yoga, integrating reading themes with life experiences to enrich their lives. |
3. Expanding City Reading Facilities
The Regulation emphasizes the need to expand reading facilities throughout the city, covering communities, public service organizations, tourist attractions, government departments, schools, businesses and private entities, and other relevant spaces and institutions.
In response, the Public Library of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau will launch a series of activities under the “Macao Just Read-National Reading Campaign Week 2026”. In accordance with the Regulation, it is recruiting Shared Reading Spots to encourage various organizations to host variety of reading activities (including parent-child reading, storytelling, reading clubs, and themed book fairs). It also encourages reading locally published works that enable readers explore the charm of Macao publications so as to integrate reading into daily life. The activities venues and formats of the Shared Reading Spots are unrestricted, and will extend to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Looking ahead, the library intends to establish more “10-minute reading corner” reading spots in communities to ensure resources are easily accessible.
10-minute Read, Stay Calm and Fit!
Stress Relief: Immersing ourselves in a story or article enables our minds to envision and interact with the plot, leading to a state of deep relaxation. This lowers stress hormones in the body, achieving a relaxing and anxiety-relieving effect.[1]
Cultivating Good Habits: Although 10 minutes is relatively short, it can allow readers to easily fit reading into brief daily intervals, helping building a sustainable reading habit.[2]
Enhancing Thinking Skills and Consolidating Cognitive Foundations: Reading involves interpreting words and understanding their combined meanings. This process acts as a mental workout that bolsters neural connections. Spending just 10 minutes a day can help build a rich and precise vocabulary. Over time, the brain’s ability to process information and comprehend complex content will improve in both depth and speed. [3]
[1] The Mindlab International research lab at the University of Sussex, led by cognitive neuropsychologist Dr. David Lewis, is frequently cited by the UK National Health Service (NHS) and various mental health websites, such as MHFA England.
Lewis, D. (2009), Galaxy Stress Research, Mindlab International, Sussex University, UK.
https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/the-key-to-opening-many-doors/
[2] Dr. BJ Fogg's “Fogg Behavior Model” (founder of the Stanford Behavior Design Lab) and the Habit Loop theory.
https://behaviordesign.stanford.edu/resources/fogg-behavior-model
Breaking Bad Habits: Why It’s So Hard to Change
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/01/breaking-bad-habits
[3] The Science of Reading framework includes Gough & Tunmer’s “Simple View of Reading” (SVR).
Learning to Read: “The Simple View of Reading.” Improving Literacy Brief
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED582273
iteracy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice: Policy Statement
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/154/6/e2024069090/199467/Literacy-Promotion-An-Essential-Component-of?autologincheck=redirected
