Why Access to Books Matters
Access to books plays an important role in helping children develop literacy skills, build confidence and discover the joy of reading.
However, not every child has the same opportunities to access books. For some children, limited access to books at home, school or in their community can create additional barriers to developing strong reading habits and literacy skills.
By increasing access to engaging, age-appropriate books, we can help more children discover books they enjoy and build a lifelong connection with reading.
The State of Literacy in Australia
Literacy is the foundation for children’s learning, communication and future opportunities. However, many children across Australia are not developing the literacy skills they need.
1 in 3 children in Australia cannot read proficiently.
Source: Grattan Institute, 2024, Australia needs a reading revolution.
1 in 4 Year 7 students lack the literacy and numeracy skills needed to start high school.
Source: Victoria University, Mitchell Institute, 2020, Educational opportunity in Australia: Who succeeds and who misses out.
Literacy challenges can have a lasting impact, affecting children’s educational outcomes, confidence and future opportunities.
Nearly 90% of businesses experience productivity issues due to low literacy and numeracy levels among employees.
Source: Ai Group’s Centre for Education and Training, 2024, Counting the cost: Addressing the impacts of low levels of literacy and numeracy in the workplace.