Anita McMillan
Knowledge and Learning Resources Manager
West Moreton Anglican College
It is exciting to be involved in a process where different industries band together to create a whole that is worth far more than the sum of its parts. It is both professionally and personally exciting when it’s all about what we love best – reading.
I’ve had the honour of working with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and a number of other book industry giants to take the Australian Reading Hour campaign to new heights. This year on Thursday 14 September we are asking all Australians to set aside one hour to read. Libraries, bookshops, publishers, authors, illustrators, politicians and corporations will all be involved.
As school library staff, we are in the perfect position to organise, facilitate (or at the very least encourage) such a reading activity for our entire school community – staff, students, parents and supporters.
What is the Australian Reading Hour?
The Australian Reading Hour’s premise is simple.
It’s about picking up an Australian book and reading for an hour any time during the day or night on Thursday 14 September.
The Australian Reading Hour is the first cross-industry reading campaign supported by the whole book industry – the Australian Society of Authors, the Australian Publishers Association, the Australian Booksellers Association, the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australian Literary Agents’ Association, and the Copyright Agency.
How can my school be involved?
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Register your school at readinghour.org.au, and download the school information pack from the ‘Resources’ tab.
- Let your school community know about the Australian Reading Hour via newsletters, emails, your learning management system, the library site itself, digital signage and social media.
- Create a display of your favourite Australian books in your library.
- Leave some library books in your school’s staffroom.
- Post on social media about your favourite Australian books and favourite time and place to read.
- Post on social media about what you will be reading for the Australian Reading Hour on 14 September.
- Create a reading nook that will encourage your readers to come in and read in the library.
- Host a reading lunch hour or reading camp-out.
- Tweet about the Reading Hour on the day, using #brbReading (stands for Be Right Back – Reading).
How can I find out more?
The official Australian Reading Hour website provides the opportunity to register and access resources.
ALIA has put together an event site, with lots of useful ideas and information.
The Australian Reading Hour is managed by Cheryl Akle, Better Reading. You can contact Cheryl via email: cheryl@betterreading.com.au.
Enjoy leading and encouraging your school community to take one hour out of their busy schedules on 14 September, to read.