To enhance children's literacy in 2020, the Palaszczuk Government is providing $347,465 in grants to develop reading and storytelling sessions in parks and pools, mobile pop-up libraries and the promotion of First Nations languages.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said 20 councils across Queensland would receive grants under the First 5 Forever program, providing strong early literacy foundations for children aged up to 5 years of age through public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres.
"Libraries are vital community hubs that provide spaces and programs for learning, literacy and storytelling, and this funding will go a long way in providing learning and engagement opportunities for Queenslanders," Minister Enoch said.
"First 5 Forever Innovation Grants totalling $284,465 will go to 18 councils for innovative and flexible projects in local libraries which support and develop a love of language and literacy skills in babies and young children," Ms Enoch said.
"An additional $63,000 will be distributed among five councils supporting Community Literacy Champions raising local awareness of the importance of early literacy and encouraging families with children aged 0-5 to connect with library services."
Ms Enoch said the grants were part of the Palaszczuk Government's $20 million funding commitment to deliver the First 5 Forever program.
"The First 5 Forever program, coordinated by the State Library of Queensland, recognises the importance of literacy and language development in the first five years of a child's life and provides families with information, resources and support to encourage them to talk, read, sing and play.
"Since launching in 2015, First 5 Forever activities have attracted more than 2.5 million attendances in public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across the state, contributing to The Palaszczuk Government's objective to give all our children a great start."
Ms Enoch said she was impressed with the creative ways councils and libraries were using the grants to provide local solutions to support families as they help make learning engaging, and most importantly fun.
"Banana Shire will offer a Multicultural Outreach Story Time program to engage community members from various cultural backgrounds through pop-up sessions in the park and learning resources in different languages.
"Splash & Sing sessions at Atherton Pool will encourage children and parents to talk, play, sing and read while learning water safety.
"The Scenic Rim Regional Council will recruit a local Indigenous rugby league star as a Literacy Champion promoting a love of literacy at local football matches, as well as embarking on a First Nations Yugambeh language book project for young children."
State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer Vicki McDonald said the latest grant round demonstrated how councils were continuing to deliver innovative library services to their communities.
"It's these creative approaches which help libraries ensure all families are welcome and receive free, inclusive support," Ms McDonald said.
"State Library congratulates all grant recipients and is proud to work in partnership with more than 320 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland to advance early literacy and build a love of reading that lasts a lifetime."
