8 July 2011

BIG BOOST FOR BOOK LOVERS AND LIBRARY LITERACY INITIATIVES

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Reading and literacy initiatives received a big boost today with Prime Minister Gillard announcing $1.3 Million of funding from the Australian Government for the National Year of Reading 2012 campaign at the Literary Awards in Canberra.

"It's wonderful to see the Australian Government coming on board as a supporter and funder of the National Year of Reading 2012" said Ms Sue Hutley, Executive Director of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

"Recent studies have estimated that 46% of Australians struggle with the basics of everyday literacy. The support announced by the Australian Government today, along with the recent budget announcements for funding to help people with low literacy, is welcomed by the thousands of library professionals who work to improve literacy in Australia every day" Ms Hutley continued.

ALIA, a founding partner of National Year of Reading 2012, will disperse the funding announced today to libraries and other organisations to support literacy initiatives as part of the National Year of Reading 2012 campaign. ALIA will also be acting as a mentor to many of the organisations receiving funding as part of today's announcement.

Minister for the Arts Simon Crean said the National Year of Reading 2012 is an excellent initiative to highlight the importance of reading as a life skill and as a source of enjoyment.

"I commend the libraries and library associations, including the Australian Library and Information Association, for working to inspire a love of reading in Australians" Mr Crean said. "The benefits of improved literacy are significant for both the community and workplace productivity" Mr Crean continued.

The Australian Government funding will support the One Country Reading and workplace literacy initiatives – two of the four key national programs for the National Year of Reading 2012. Sponsorship is being sought for the two other programs – The Reading Hour and a public library membership drive.

There are 15 organisations behind the National Year of Reading, including all the state libraries, territory libraries and public library associations across Australia. Although libraries are the driving force behind the campaign, partnerships are being forged with writers, publishers, booksellers, schools, government, media and the companies behind some of Australia's most famous household name brands.

The founders recognise the great work that Australian reading promotion and literacy organisations already do and hope that by attracting further attention to the issue for a 12–month period, there can be a step-change in people's awareness of the enormous value of books and the joy of reading.

The official public launch of the National Year of Reading will be on 14 February 2012.

ENDS