Event Description
The choice “to read or not to read” has never been more critical for Australia. With literacy rates slipping and barriers mounting—from economic hardship to technological disruption, accessibility issues, and competing demands on our time—the stakes are high and the questions are big: How do we navigate AI’s disruption while protecting creators? What global forces are reshaping our literary landscape? And most importantly—how do we turn the tide on declining literacy?
In this webinar, experts from ALIA, ASA, APA, and Australia Reads—key players in Australia’s book industry committed to building a reading nation—will address these questions and share insights, research, and bold visions for sustainable change. Learn how well-resourced libraries, supported authors, and innovative community programs can transform reading access across the country. Panellists will also explore how advocacy strategies and fresh approaches are championing reading initiatives that will safeguard our democratic future.
Speakers
Lucy Hayward, Australian Society of Authors
Lucy Hayward is the CEO and company secretary of the ASA and manages the ASA team. Lucy is a passionate advocate for writers and illustrators with years of professional experience in the book industry. Lucy cut her teeth in marketing and communications at a marketing technology company before her move to bookselling, taking up the role of Marketing Manager for Better Read Than Dead bookshop. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Technology Sydney and sits on the board of the International Authors Forum, Australian Copyright Council, and Authors Legal.
Dr Stuart Glover, Australian Publishers Association
Dr Stuart Glover is the Head of Policy at the Australian Publishers Association, responsible representing the interests of publishers and building relations at all levels. Stuart has a background as an arts administrator: He was founding director of the Brisbane Writers Festival; a senior lecturer in publishing, editing, and writing at QUT and UQ for 15 years, a board member and/or chair of more than a dozen arts organisations and consultant to major cultural institutions including state libraries, university presses, and state arts departments.
Anna Burkey, Australia Reads
Anna Burkey is the Head of Australia Reads, a book industry initiative to get more Australians Reading. Originally hailing from Scotland, where she was on the founding team of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, Anna then spent several years State Library Victoria and the Centre for Youth Literature before moving to the Australian Publishers Association and Australia Reads.
When
Monday 28 July 2025, 12:00pm – 1:00pm AEST
Online webinar on the Zoom Events platform. A link will be sent out the day before the webinar.
A recording of the webinar will also be made available through the Zoom Events platform to registered participants.
More information
Conditions of Registration & Attendance Policy
Registrations will be confirmed by email.
An accurate email address is essential for your registration to be processed.
Shared/team registrations are not permitted. Please register all attendees individually and ensure their personal details are accurate.
Cancellation Policy
- Registrations up to 3 weeks prior = full refund
- Registrations between 1-2 weeks prior = 50% refund
- Registrations cancelled 1 week prior or later = no refund
- Registrations $10 and under = no refund due to administrative costs
Registrations can be transferred to other individuals at no cost (in the same registration category).
Contact groups@alia.org.au for information.