New collaboration will give more books to First Nations readers

A three-year collaboration between the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) and Australia Post will see nearly 100,000 books delivered to over 400 remote communities throughout 2020.

The Book Supply Program will ensure that remote communities across Australia receive equal access to quality literacy resources as their urban counterparts. The announcement is significant not only for the difference it will make to these communities, but also for its timing, coming as the Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary and prepares to publish its 100th book.

ILF CEO Karen Williams said “In very remote Indigenous communities, children’s books are scarce and literacy levels are significantly lower than anywhere else in Australia. Together with Australia Post, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation will help ensure that all children in remote Indigenous communities have better access to quality, new books.”

Along with the partnership, the Foundation said it was “thrilled that the launch of Australia Post’s Pen Pal Club and accompanying storybook, written by former ILF ambassador Sally Morgan and illustrated by Annie White, will help to provide a real boost to the reading and writing skills of Indigenous and non-Indigenous school students, no matter where they live.”

Nicky Tracey, Head of Community for Australia Post, said the provider was “delighted” to be able to support the work of the Foundation. 

“There has been a lot of public discussion around the need to improve youth literacy across the country. Through the Pen Pal Club children can experience the fun and excitement of getting something in the mail, and connecting with others, sometimes from different cultures and across great distances, while developing their reading and writing skills…There is no doubt there is strong appetite for new ways to engage students in reading and writing,” Ms Tracey said. 

To learn more about the work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, please see here.