Reading put on the agenda as part of New South Wales’ first ever writing and literature strategy.
The NSW Government has this morning announced the state’s first ever dedicated literature and writing strategy – with support for reading announced as a key strategic pillar.
Stories Matter: A writing and literature strategy for NSW outlines a framework to expand access to reading and writing, grow audiences, and build a sustainable, inclusive and globally connected literature and writing sector.
In the announcement, the Government recognised that reading and writing “underpins educational success, promotes social cohesion, builds empathy and cultivates critical thinking.”
However, despite this, national reading rates are in decline, with 30% of the population having not read or listened to a single book in a year – with this trend especially concerning amongst children and young people.
The NSW arts minister, John Graham, said of the announcement: “We want our stories to be told, we want to be part of the global literary conversation and we rely on the social cohesion that comes from the nuance and empathy that books build.”
Developed in consultation with the sector, Stories Matter five strategic pillars are:
1. Reinforce our foundations: develop state and federal partnerships and co-investment to increase the effectiveness of existing programs and organisations.
2. Invest in authors: to make writing a sustainable career and enrich the sector as a whole.
3. Promote reading: use the library network, schools and festivals to connect readers with authors, and address declining reading rates, especially amongst younger people.
4. Strengthen the ecosystem: through strategic partnerships with schools, universities,libraries, cultural institutions and local government to expand opportunities for writers and increase the reach and impact of writing and literature across the state.
5. Address structural challenges: Introduce freedom to collect legislation; advocate across jurisdictions to support the sector.
Australia Reads’ LitUp author touring program was among the first recipients of funding announced as part of the strategy. The program supports libraries, schools and bookstores in rural and regional areas to bring Australian authors and illustrators into their communities and promote a love of reading.
The announcement also sees support for WestWords to expand their work supporting reading and writing in Western Sydney, and the establishment of a First Nations writers and publishing professional’s development fund.
Australia Reads commends the Minns Labor Government for this investment in reading and literature, and looks forward to seeing further States and Territories across Australia commit to a dedicated strategy to support books and reading.