The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has
received a grant of $30,000 from the Australia Council to support Online
Storytime, a pilot program which brings library storytimes into
people’s homes, raises awareness of Australian picture books and
generates new income for authors, illustrators and publishers.
Following the receipt of this money ALIA will be creating additional
benefits for registrants to the scheme. These benefits will include an
elist and newsletter for library staff, and online events to connect
libraries with authors and illustrators.
ALIA CEO, Sue McKerracher said, ‘This pilot has already been an
enormous success with more than 130 library services registered, and
more than $70,000 to be distributed to creators and publishers. The
success of this pilot highlights the continuing need for online
storytimes, and the value that libraries provide to their communities
especially during renewed lockdowns and restrictions’.
The funding news coincides with ALIA’s decision to extend the pilot
for a further 12 months to allow for a full evaluation. The scheme will
now run through to December 2022, with libraries being invited to renew
their subscription.
Interested public libraries who are not registered for the pilot can still sign-up. More information can be found on the ALIA website.
The pilot has also received positive feedback from library users:
‘I have a child with a disability and cannot leave home due to the
current COVID situation and his health. The stories and wonderful work
by your staff have been loved here at our house.’, Yarra Plenty Library
user.
‘My daughter was one at the start of the pandemic. While we were
regular attendees at our local library, everything shut down all at
once. We were cooped up without a means to ‘jump our giggles out’. My
little girl is always excited for Storytime and is energised by the
experience. Your program kept us all sane through the worst parts of
pandemic lockdown’, Maribyrnong Library user.
About the Australian Library and Information Association
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the
professional organisation for the Australian library and information
services sector.
With 5,000 members across Australia, we provide the national voice of
the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality
library and information services, through leadership, advocacy and
mutual support. www.alia.org.au
For more information contact [email protected].