Public Notice - Friends of Libraries Australia

FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES AUSTRALIA considers that a national, state and local government policy and funding recognition of the special contribution which Australia's public and other libraries do, and can, make to lifelong educational experience, is long over due.

Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA) is a non-profit association established in 1994 as the world's second national association to foster, advise and support the increasing numbers of Friends of the Libraries (FOLA) groups throughout Australia. These groups and FOLA are the voice of the 60% of Australians who use and value their public libraries, and the many other people who support them as unique 'cradle to grave' educational, informational, cultural and recreational agencies freely available to people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances.

Consistent with this position. In 2004 FOLA commenced a five year program of annual Reports to The Nation on issues critical to the development of public libraries to meet the needs of all Australians. The first report Australia BookStart: a national issue is a compelling case focused on the importance of a nationally comprehensive approach to early literacy development. The 2005 second Report to The Nation was Community Critical: Australian public libraries serving seniors. This conveyed the importance of public libraries to the life quality of Australia's ageing population. The 2006 third Report to The Nation Supporting students : the educational contribution of Australia's public libraries was launched last August.

All three reports are available at www.fola.org.au Copying of the reports or parts there of for dissemination and discussion purposes is encouraged . FOLA welcomes feedback about the issues raised through its president Dr Alan Bundy. alan.bundy@auslib.com.au or PO Box 622, Blackwood, SA 5051

The fourth FOLA Report to The Nation Looking ever forward: Australia's public libraries serving children and young adults will be available in late 2007.

"If it is right that schools should be maintained by the whole community for the well being of the whole, it is right also that libraries should be so maintained."

Andrew Carnegie

Inserted by Alison G Walpole, Whorouly South.