Underfunded School Libraries in Australia: A Growing Literacy Challenge

This month, Dymocks Children’s Charities has helped bring national attention to an issue we see every day, the state of school libraries in disadvantaged communities across Australia.

Insights from our program schools highlight a consistent pattern. Many are operating with extremely limited library budgets, often under $1,000 per year, and some have no dedicated budget at all. Schools also report that a significant portion of their collections are outdated, in some cases more than 20 years old.

For thousands of students, this means limited access to relevant, engaging books, and fewer opportunities to explore reading with confidence.

For many children, the school library is their primary access point to books. When that access is constrained, it directly impacts their ability to build literacy skills and develop a genuine interest in reading.

We see the difference when that changes. When schools are supported with current, age-appropriate books, students read more, engage more, and begin to see themselves as readers.

At the same time, schools are managing competing priorities. With constrained budgets, funding is often directed to essential services, leaving little for library investment.

This is where targeted support can make a meaningful difference.

Help change the story.
Host a Library Boost and bring new books to students who need them most.