National Reading Symposium
VOLUME is a free, online national symposium which brings together the broader Australian books and social change sectors to discuss effective approaches for building reading engagement.
Reading is vital for a healthier, happier and more connected country. Regular reading provides better education and employment outcomes, reduces our stress and loneliness, supports social connection, and increases our empathy for others.
Despite these benefits, national literacy and reading rates are declining for children and adults alike.
VOLUME provides a national platform for the books industry to come together to untangle the the issues affecting reading engagement and gain learnings from the social change sector, behavioural science, and international case studies.
The symposium looks at how we might tell a strong, unified story about the benefits of reading, and considered how we might work with partners and government to create a nation of readers.
Save the date: VOLUME 2026
VOLUME will return in 2026 across two, free days of online programming.
Mark your calendars now!
Wednesday October 21st – VOLUME: Building a Reading Nation
Thursday October 22nd – VOLUME: Young Readers in Focus
Watch back VOLUME 2023
VOLUME 2023 brought together thousands of book professionals from across the country to discuss approaches to building a reading nation.
Sessions included a keynote from Nardi Simpson, roadblocks to reading in Australia, insights from the social change sector, UK reading advocacy case studies, and a cross-industry discussion on how to grow national reading rates.
Watch back the VOLUME symposium in full below, or explore individuals sessions via our Youtube channel.
VOLUME is made possible thanks to support from Writing Australia
