Book Bank
Book Bank is Dymocks Children’s Charities’ longest-running literacy program, providing brand-new books to primary school students in communities experiencing disadvantage across Australia.
The program supports students in Years 3–6 by providing four new books each year — one per term — over four consecutive years. Each student chooses their own books from a curated selection and takes them home to keep, helping build personal book collections and encouraging reading beyond the classroom.
By giving children access to books, they are excited to read, Book Bank helps schools create positive reading experiences and supports students in developing a lifelong connection with books.
Why Choice Matters
A key part of Book Bank is giving children the opportunity to choose the books they read.
Students select their books from a diverse selection featuring fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and a range of topics, reading levels and interests. This choice helps children find books that reflect their personalities, spark their curiosity and encourage independent reading.
When children have ownership over their reading choices, they are more likely to feel motivated, engaged and confident as readers.
How Does Book Bank Work?
Participating schools receive a collection of brand-new books to create a Book Bank bookshop or stall for their students.
Students are invited to browse the collection and choose books that interest them, giving them ownership over their reading choices and the opportunity to take books home to keep.
Through Book Bank, schools can:
Provide students with access to brand-new books
Create an engaging book selection experience within their school
Encourage children to choose books they are excited to read
Help students build their own home libraries
By putting choice at the centre of the program, Book Bank helps schools create positive reading experiences and encourages children to develop a lasting connection with books.
What Impact Does Book Bank Have?
Schools tell us that Book Bank creates excitement around reading and helps students develop stronger connections with books.
The opportunity to regularly choose and receive new books encourages children to read more often, explore new genres and see themselves as readers.
“The Book Bank program is one of the most powerful and beneficial I have been involved in. I heard from a parent about their child’s newfound enjoyment of reading. This really was a WOW moment for me and will probably change the trajectory of this child’s life.”
Applying for Book Bank
Book Bank supports eligible primary schools working with children experiencing disadvantage.
Schools applying for Book Bank should provide details about their students, community needs, current access to books and how the program will support their students’ reading.
