National Year of Reading 2012

In 2012, Australian libraries and library associations came together behind the National Year of Reading, linking together all the great things that are already happening around books, reading and literacy, and giving them an extra boost, with inspirational programs and events taking place across the country.

There were more than 4,000 events, $5.6 million in in-kind support, $26 million-worth of media coverage, much of it highlighting the fact that nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle. Read the snapshot report on the National Year of Reading here.

Following on from the success of the campaign, the 15 founder partners decided to carry forward the Love2read brand into 2013, making the most of the momentum that had been created during the National Year of Reading.

Love2read is a collaborative project joining public libraries, government, community groups, media and commercial partners, and of course the public. As well as running The Reading Hour each August, we will be using our joint efforts to bring together and showcase the wonderful projects and organisations across Australia which already exist to promote reading and literacy. So although we have a small team helping to drive forward the national Love2read campaigns, behind us lies a family of many organisations.