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National Year of Reading

The National Year of Reading is an ambitious campaign that aims to help turn Australia into a nation of readers. A series of events and programs has been designed to support a universal appreciation of the benefits of reading, as well as to promote a reading culture in every home, school and community in the land.

Federal Minister for School Education, Early Childhood
and Youth Peter Garrett speaking at the launch
of the National Year of Reading

Throughout the week beginning on 14 February 2012, celebrations to welcomed the start of the National Year of Reading. In Canberra, the Prime Minister told guests assembled at the National Library of Australia that she '[wants] Australia to be many things: a prosperous nation, an innovative nation, but I certainly want us to be a reading nation …I want every Australian to know the joy and pleasure that comes from books and reading.'

At the launch, Julia Gillard and Simon Crean also announced the winning titles in the Our Story project. This project aimed to identify eight books (one from each state and territory) for the National Year of Reading collection. These books will form the basis for Australia's biggest reading group in 2012. Also on stage was award winning author, actor and National Year of Reading patron William McInnes, the ABC's Jennifer Byrne and children's author Boori Monty Pryor, as well as a class of children from two Canberra schools.

Events around the country

In Queensland, the National Year of Reading was launched with a breakfast focusing on that state’s Dads Read campaign, which will run throughout 2012. The campaign involves famous fathers, including sporting heroes, reading to children.

Other events included an evening reception at the State Library of New South Wales, a celebration in Adelaide's Rundle Mall, and the work of a chalk artist in Perth’s Arts Precinct. Celebrations were held at schools, libraries and bookshops in hundreds of communities Australia-wide. There will be plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with events, activities and workshops throughout the year.

The National Year of Reading touring exhibition opened in Darwin on 1 February. The exhibition will travel to every state and territory, and will be displayed for three weeks at a variety of venues. The exhibition is built around original artwork from Alison Lester’s much-loved picture book Are We There Yet? The theme of travel, exploring the Australian landscape and making connections with people from diverse backgrounds has been extended to a competition and activities for younger children. For primary school children, therefore, the exhibition will be well worth a visit.

There's also a competition for students aged between 12 and 18. Read This! asks young people to nominate a book that they think their peers should read during 2012. Their nomination can take the form of a book trailer, picture, video or song - indeed, any creative response will be considered for one of the top prizes. This competition is being run by the Centre for Youth Literature (www.insideadog.com.au) and Spine Out (www.spineout.com.au).

In the latter part of the year, a highlight of the campaign will be The Reading Hour. Based on the concept of Earth Hour, The Reading Hour will encourage families across Australia to join together for a simultaneous reading session. It will also encourage families to continue reading together for an hour or so a week – whether that be 20 minutes three times a week or 10 minutes nearly every day. The Reading Hour will be held on Saturday 25 August.

Not too late to join in

Role models are fundamental to the creation of a reading culture, and the team behind the National Year of Reading is encouraging maths and science teachers to walk into their classrooms with a favourite work of fiction tucked under their arm. For teacher librarians, the campaign is not only a chance to promote books to students, but also to remind teaching colleagues about the many benefits of reading at any age.

Many organisations are linking together during the National Year of Reading. Schools are a natural hub for this kind of activity, and the campaign is an opportunity to test out extended partnerships between school and public libraries, teachers and parents, and community groups that haven’t previously had the opportunity to work together towards a common goal.

National Year of Reading website

Take a look at the National Year of Reading website (www.love2read.org.au), and follow the link to the wiki for reading professionals at http://love2read2012.wikispaces.com/. Here you will find all kinds of useful information, including the names and contact details for ambassadors and friends of the campaign, booking agencies for visiting authors and illustrators, and items including logos and posters to download free of charge.

It is anticipated that some 2,000 activities will take place through community groups and in Australian schools, libraries and bookshops throughout the National Year of Reading. If you would like to be an active participant in the campaign, you can register to receive news of behind-the-scenes planning and activities by visiting www.love2read.org.au/registration.cfm.

More information can be found on the official website: www.love2read.org.au

Sue McKerracher

Sue McKerracher
Director, The Library Agency