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A national role for a national concern

Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA)


Did You Know...?

Numerous studies have shown that children who are read to from an early age learn more sounds, develop listening skills, extend their vocabularies, imaginations and understandings of concepts, and learn to read by themselves more easily.

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FOLA News Update
20 years: Friends of Altona Library

Better more accessible libraries for all in Australia

FOLA is a national voice for the 12 million users of Australia's public libraries, and in particular for the users of public libraries which have now established Friends of Libraries groups.


Investing in Australia's Future Through Its Public Library System - Why, Who, How

Australia now has a comprehensive and very heavily used public library system. This has developed in only the last 50 years, largely through state/territory and local government partnership. View the paper (PDF - 129KB)


Australia's Great Good Places: Why Local And Other Governments Should Invest More In Your Public Library

View the address (Word - 114KB) to a public meeting convened by the Friends of Mt Barker Community Library, South Australia 21 November 2007 by Dr Alan Bundy AM President Friends of Libraries Australia


Sex, Lies And Politics: Public Library Funding Futures

View the Paper (PDF - 265KB) presented at the Building bridges to knowledge conference of the Queensland Public Libraries Association, Ipswich Qld 17 September 2007.


Looking ever forward: Australia's public libraries serving children and young people

View the latest Report to the nation by Friends of Libraries Australia (PDF - 119KB).


FOLA 2007 President's Report

View the Report (PDF - 1000KB).


FOLA 2007 - 2011 Strategic Plan

To be released soon.


Address To The Nation - Supporting students: the educational contribution of Australia's public libraries

The Address To The Nation Paper was launched by Dr Alan Bundy at the FOLA Annual General Meeting at Balmain Library, Sydney on Thursday 24 August 2006

View the Address To The Nation (PDF - 225KB)


Community Anchor, Council Shop Window: The Modern Public Library

Address at the luncheon celebration of the silver jubilee of Friends of Mackay Libraries Inc, Mackay Queensland 9 August 2006 by Dr Alan Bundy AM, President Friends of Libraries Australia

View the Address to the Mackay Libraries Inc. FOLA Group (PDF - 74KB)


Friends of Libraries - Community Voice, Council Partner

A guide to the role of Friends of Libraries groups for Australian local government, state governments and regional library corporations. Read about how Friends of Libraries Australia encourages Councils or Print out how Friends of Libraries Australia encourages Councils (PDF - 105KB)


Friends History in New Zealand

The Friends of the Dunedin Public Library Association recently published a book on the groups history - more than 100 years!

Copies are available directly from the Dunedin Public Library Association and orders can be placed with the author, by emailing Merle at klundert@es.co.nz.

Cost is $16 (NZD) plus postage and packaging.


Recent Papers & Articles

A Place With Space: How Does Your Library Rate?

Presentation (PDF - 118KB) to a forum of South Australian Friends of Libraries State Library of SA 6 April 2006


Other recent papers



View more of FOLA's issues papers which focus on major issues facing libraries and the community.