Recent Media Stories
Reading print improves comprehension far more than looking at digital text, say researchers
Now this is something we can get behind! A study from the University of Valencia found that print reading could boost skills by six to eight times more than digital reading Source - The Guardian, AU: Reading print improves comprehension far more than looking at...
Street Library GM shares the story on National Shared Reading Week with Story Box Library
Read a Q&A with Street Library Australia's General Manager, Mel, on the Story Box Library blog!
Could public libraries make good cat cafes? – ABC listen
Um. Yes! A Joondalup city councillor is hoping his proposal to have cats hang out in the local library will get support. Source: Could public libraries make good cat cafes? - ABC listen
National Shared Reading Week at your local Street Library – News Of The Area
Lovely Jen from Fishermans Reach is at it again - out and about promoting our cause to her community. Thank you Jen! Source: National Shared Reading Week at your local Street Library - News Of The Area
A door at a Swedish library was accidentally left open — 446 people came in, borrowed 245 books. Every single one was returned
People! People are good! And libraries bring out the best in us all! They say a reader does not steal and a thief does not read. In the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, that's definitely true. Source: A door at a Swedish library was accidentally left open — 446 people came...
Fantasy exhibition takes over Leeds Central Library
Classic story books and memorabilia from TV shows go on show at Leeds Central Library. Source: Fantasy exhibition takes over Leeds Central Library
Concertinas, scrolls and miniatures: The eclectic artworks that are actual books
Books made by artists can be sophisticated or simple. So, what is an artists' book? A new exhibition puts these obscure artworks in the spotlight. Source: Concertinas, scrolls and miniatures: The eclectic artworks that are actual books
Barnaby Joyce’s Debut Novel ‘Weatherboard & Iron’ Remains Untouched In Annandale Street Library
Betoota Advocate... you have our hearts. More to come. Source: Barnaby Joyce's Debut Novel 'Weatherboard & Iron' Remains Untouched In Annandale Street Library
One step closer to a library for Mawarra – Gympie Today
Read on for Gympie Today's take on one of the latest additions to the Street Library community - the Mawarra Independent School Street Library Source: One step closer to library for Mawarra - Gympie Today
Why dogs are proving to be the perfect listeners for young children struggling to read
Well this sounds ideal! Dogs with a calm nature are providing young students with a fun and non-confrontational environment in which to practise reading as part of a program expanding around the country. Source: ABC News Why dogs are proving to be the perfect...
Tamworth signed up newborn babies for a reading experiment, and the results are in
A look at how Dolly Parton's Imagination Library works for the children of Tamworth, NSW. With thanks to the ABC. Source: Tamworth signed up newborn babies for a reading experiment, and the results are in
The late Peter Hardy loved his book collection – and now it is being shared with the Gulgong community – ABC Western Plains
Gulgong's Heidi Maskill-Hardy has figured out the perfect way to commemorate Peter Hardy's love of books after losing her "soul friend" of 35 years just five weeks ago. Source: The late Peter Hardy loved his book collection - and now it is being shared with the...
Australians are Embracing Little Street Libraries – Goodnet
Spreading a love of books in the digital age. Source: Australians are Embracing Little Street Libraries - Goodnet
Little Sharing Street Library Grows at Fishermans Reach – News Of The Area
Props to our Street Library Legend, Jen, who is sharing the Street Library news around the Fishermans Reach community. Source: Little Sharing Library Grows at Fishermans Reach - News Of The Area
Search For New Street Library Artist – Wollongong
Wollongong City Council is on the hunt for a local community artist to create an engaging artwork for a new Street Library (also known as a Book Box). Source: Search for new street library artist – Wollongong
One of the last intact wild places left on earth. Ningaloo through the eyes of writer Tim Winton – ABC Sydney
Street Library's author patron Tim Winton has written, produced and narrated a very special documentary sharing his his passion for Ningaloo in Western Australia, and it is stunning. Listen to him talk to Richard Glover on Radio ABC Sydney. Source: One of the last...
Would you like some Street Libraries with your News Breakfast?
Big thanks to ABC News Breakfast who recently took the time to speak with a couple of the folks behind Street Library Australia. While the local Street Library story has its roots in Sydney's Inner West, the Street Library movement in Australia is growing nationwide....
From 30 to 4,500: How street libraries took off, reviving a love of books and spreading community spirit
Enjoy this Feel Good Read of the Day by the ABC Wide Bay's Grace Whiteside. In an age where screens and virtual technology reign supreme, communities across Australia have embraced street libraries and are reviving a love of "good old-fashioned" books. Source: From...
ChatGPT behind influx of AI-written books on Amazon | Digital Trends
Does this = end times? Wannabe novelists who don’t want to put in the time or effort to create their literary masterpiece are turning to ChatGPT for help. Source: ChatGPT behind influx of AI-written books on Amazon | Digital Trends
Julia Donaldson ends James Patterson’s reign as UK libraries’ most borrowed author
Sorry James. Heck, yes Julia! Data shows that Patterson’s 14-year run as readers’ overall favourite has given way to the Gruffalo author Source: Julia Donaldson ends James Patterson’s reign as UK libraries’ most borrowed author
A different kind of library branch – ABC Radio
Have you ever visited a wood library? Source: A different kind of library branch - ABC Radio
Kids are finding books hidden all over this town and ‘it’s a bit magical’, say parents
Literary treasure hunts are giving children both the thrill of finding a book and the benefits of reading. Source: Kids are finding books hidden all over this town and 'it's a bit magical', say parents
‘A very street library thing’: in praise of sharing books with strangers
"I don’t know any of these donors and they don’t know me. But we all know the street library. And that’s a very special thing." From chance encounters with neighbours to the 1970 Australian Women’s Weekly Cookbook, a weekly trip to the street library is a special kind...
Helsinki Built a Library That Brings a Whole City Together
Why do half of all Finnish citizens visit the library every month? The answer lies in Oodi Library, a blueprint for fostering human convergence. Source: Helsinki Built a Library That Brings a Whole City Together
How one school turned boys into happy book nerds
Reading is central to the learning of all students at Ashfield Boys' High.Source: AFR
The libraries of things bringing back neighbourhood sharing
Two new community initiatives offering the opportunity to borrow everything from chainsaws to party supplies are aiming to reduce waste and bring back the tradition of neighbourhood sharing. Source: The libraries of things bringing back neighbourhood sharing
SICS Radio – Community Value in Street Libraries
Street libraries offer communities an alternative and sustainable venue for finding and reusing books, supporting literacy at the ground (or street) level. In SICS Radio’s 3rd broadcast celebrating Social Sciences Week, we discuss how Social Science helps us...
Library exhibit shows ‘glimpse of humanity’ in lost items in books
Over a period of 10 years, a team of librarians has been collecting little items found in returned library books. There are now more 350 items which are being featured in a physical and online collection. Source: Library exhibit shows 'glimpse of humanity' in lost...
Double the Street Libraries
We were pretty thrilled to read in the Ballarat Courier recently that the Street Library population in Ballarat, VIC, has more than doubled since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic. There aren’t many figures that have come with the pandemic that we welcome or...
Afghan women have opened a library to combat Taliban ruling
With many women forced out of work and girls unable to attend school under the Taliban, the library in Kabul hopes to assist them in gaining education. Source: Afghan women have opened a library to combat Taliban ruling