The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is an initiative and charity of The Australian
Book Industry drawing on its diverse range of expertise, skills and resources. It
works with the support of the Australian Publishers Association, the Australian
Booksellers Association and the Australian Society of Authors.
The Foundation employs an Indigenous Literacy Program Manager who is based in Darwin
and who works closely with communities around Australia. Funds raised by the Foundation
help purchase and supply culturally appropriate books and literacy resources for
over 200 remote communities around Australia. Communities select and order books
from a range of book lists selected by our Program Manager in consultation with
a team of literacy experts. Books are then ordered and sent to schools, libraries,
early learning centres including crèches, women’s and youth drop-in centres in remote
communities, with the assistance of the Australian Booksellers Association and from
publishers and distributors.
The Foundation's core aim and objectives
- To raise literacy levels and thus improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous
Australians living in remote and isolated regions.
- To advocate to raise awareness of literacy issues within the Australian community.
- To raise funds to equip Indigenous Australians living in remote communities with
books and the support they need to become literate.
The Foundation’s major fundraising campaign in 2012 is Indigenous Literacy
Day on Wednesday 5 September 2012.
History
The Foundation first began in 2004 when educator and bookshop owner, Suzy Wilson
(Riverbend Books in Queensland) set up a Challenge in partnership with The Fred
Hollows Foundation and Ian Thorpe’s Foundation for Youth Trust, to raise money for
Indigenous literacy. Suzy wanted to help people in remote Indigenous communities
where there is little access to books and where children often grow up with little
or no ability to read. She posed the question, ‘Can you imagine a world without
books and reading?'
Read more about ILF's history.