Library For All successfully pitched its vision for an Australian Indigenous book collection at The Funding Network’s TFN Live event in Brisbane, securing an extraordinary $35,000 in donation pledges.

This commitment from The Funding Network allows Library For All to continue its mission to make knowledge accessible to all, equally. It kickstarts the organisation’s first project specifically targeting literacy challenges in Australia, with the creation of an Australian Indigenous collection.

Donations from The Funding Network will be used towards publishing 20 original illustrated children’s books in Indigenous languages. Library For All will work closely with Indigenous communities to facilitate writers’ workshops that provide professional training and support for Indigenous storytellers, authors and illustrators, so that they can share their knowledge with the wider community.

In addition to being freely available through the Library For All digital library application, these titles will also be held in perpetuity by the National Library of Australia, as part of the growing acknowledgement of Australia’s diverse Indigenous language heritage. These books will be available to today’s young learners, as well as future generations of Indigenous Australians. Their purpose is to simultaneously support and promote traditional knowledge, and provide culturally-relevant reading material to help boost literacy levels in some of Australia’s remote communities.

Speaking after an emotionally charged pitch, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca McDonald explained that “Library For All is incredibly fortunate to have been supported by the engaged and enthusiastic attendees at TFN Live”.

“To have that many individual donors pledge to support our organisation, and ask to join us on our journey to let the world read is breathtaking. We are humbled and truly overwhelmed,” Ms McDonald said.

To join donors from The Funding Network and support Library For All’s ground breaking efforts to let the world read, make a donation today.