Launched in February, The National Year of Reading has hit the ground running, with libraries all over Australia taking up the challenge and promoting the benefits of reading to the community through local and national programs and events.
Nearly half the Australian population, 49 percent struggles with basic literacy, making it difficult to carry out even the most every day activities, such as reading a timetable or the labels on food. To counter this trend, Australian libraries and library associations initiated the National Year of Reading, kick starting a campaign that links together all the great things about books, reading and literacy.
So far, The National Year of Reading has been met with huge enthusiasm by public libraries, library staff and residents. A quick tour of a few libraries around the country shows just how much books, reading and libraries contribute to and encourage a strong sense of community.
For more information on National Year of Reading programs and events visit the love2read website: www.love2read.org.au.