Have You Heard About the 2021 National Great Book Swap?

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is inviting schools, social groups, corporates, and individuals to host a Great Book Swap event in 2021.

The Great Book Swap is a fantastic way to celebrate reading locally, learn more about Indigenous languages and culture, while raising funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Schools, workplaces, libraries, universities, book clubs, individuals and all kinds of organisations can host a Great Book Swap. The idea is to swap a favourite book in exchange for a gold coin donation.

This year the Foundation aims to raise $350,000 to gift 35,000 books to children and families in remote and isolated communities.

“I can make a difference. We can make a difference. The sense of community and good will that grew before and during this event was amazing” – Elizabeth Graham, Teacher, St Francis Xavier Runaway Bay.

Learn more and register here.

About the ILF

At the Indigenous Literacy Foundation our vision is equity of opportunity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who live in remote parts of Australia. We know that in remote communities there is often less than five books per household. Can you imagine not having access to books to read to your child or books in your first language?

Since 2010, when the Foundation was established, 537,100 books have been gifted to hundreds of schools, health care centres and service organisations that use them in all different ways.  By the end of 2021 we will gift another 99,000 books and will be delivered reaching 400 remote communities across Australia.

Our early literacy Book Buzz program is now running in 67 playgroups across the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, WA, NT and SA, and books have been translated into six languages.

We have published 103 books that reflect 26 Indigenous languages including Pitjantjatjarra, Kriol, Walmajarri, Ngaanyatjarra, YolŋuMatha, Tiwi and Arabana.

We have another 17 books to publish in 2021, featuring numerous languages, and including our first collection of graphic novels due to be launched in July this year.

“Every year the dedicated ILF team works closely with remote Indigenous communities to support reading and learning. Through ILF’s programs, books are gifted, some translated into first languages, and others are created by communities, reflecting the value and importance of culture and language.” – Suzy Wilson, Founder

Photo by Tiffany Parker

Our programs

We aim to ensure that these children can develop their full potential and make choices for their future education, health, and general wellbeing. Our purpose is to boost literacy levels and instil a lifelong love of reading through our three core programs for remote children and their families:

1. Book Buzz supports early literacy
2. Book Supply provides culturally relevant books and books translated in language, and
3. Community Literacy Projects engages communities to write and illustrate their own books in their first language.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a charity of the Australian Book Industry. We receive no government assistance and are funded by our partner organisations, corporate sponsors and individual donors. Donations fund the programs for communities that need them most.  Every $10 puts a book into the hands of a child in a remote community. Please donate here.

For more information please contact us on (02) 9280 0644 or [email protected]

Videos

Voices of the Future

10 Years of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation