Book Boost For Public Libraries

The Allan Labor Government is supporting young Victorians to pick up a book this year and take part in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge – so that more children develop lasting enthusiasm for literature and build essential skills for their future.

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today announced more than $1 million to support our public libraries across Victoria as part of the Labor Government’s Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund.

Each year, the much-loved Premiers’ Reading Challenge encourages children and young people across Victoria to read a set number of books, with a published list of new and exciting titles suited to different reading levels.

This support will help libraries purchase copies of the books listed, and update and grow their collections for the community to enjoy.

Public libraries play an important role during the Challenge, with many young readers visiting their local library to access the books included on that year’s list.

Since the Premiers’ Reading Challenge launched in 2005, it has helped teachers and parents inspire more than 4.3 million young Victorians to read more than 60 million books.

Public libraries are highly valued by families across the state – almost 2 million members borrow more than 30 million books each year.

Over the last nine years, the Labor Government has invested more than $49 million into 139 library infrastructure projects.

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund supports local councils, regional library corporations, My Community Library (Myli) and Vision Australia.

For more information on the Labor Government’s support for libraries including the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund, visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au/funding-programs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne

“The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is all about supporting more children to read, fostering a lifelong love of reading, literacy and developing skills that will set them up for life.”

“We love our public libraries, and through our support they are able to stock even more books that children will love across Victoria.”