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FOLA Update

View the latest FOLA News Update - Books for babies (PDF - 1946KB).


Toowoomba Friends

View information on the Toowoomba Friends 10th anniversary (PDF - 732KB)


FOLA 2007 - 2011 Strategic Plan

To be released soon.


New Partnership between Syba Signs Pty Ltd and FOLA

Syba Signs Pty Ltd has become the latest sponsor to agree to a new partnership arrangement with FOLA over the next 3 years.

View the sponsor information on Syba Signs Pty Ltd and other information regarding FOLA's sponsors.


Growing Friends: Celebrating FOLA's 10 years

Article prepared for the Australian Library & Information Association's newsletter inCite December 2005.

View the full text of the recent ALIA article (PDF - 92KB).


Developing Friends in the West

Exciting developments in Friends groups in Western Australia after a visit by FOLA Executive Director recently.

Daniel Ferguson visited WA in March to assist State Librarian, Margaret Allen develop Friends of Library groups throughout the state. Further information for Western Australian libraries can be made by contacting Sue North at the State Library of Western Australia.


New Partnership between James Bennett Pty Ltd and FOLA

James Bennett Pty Ltd, a major sponsor has continued its support of FOLA by assisting with the production of our new Friends of Libraries Resource Book (2005) and agreeing to a new partnership arrangement over the next 3 years.


FOLA workshops in Western Australia

Daniel Ferguson, Executive Director FOLA recently presented a series of workshops on developing successful FOL groups in Western Australia. The workshops were sponsored by the State Library of Western Australia, with the aim of promoting and developing Friends groups in public libraries in the state.


Twelve million public library friends: worth an investment?

An information and issues paper (PDF - 302KB) for Australian public librarians on Friends of Libraries


Celebrating 10 years of FOLA (1994-2004)

FOLA celebrated its 10th anniversary at a function at the National Library of Australia, Canberra on Friday 3 December 2004. The function was hosted by members of the Friends of the National Library of Australia and FOLA.

Celebrating 10 years of FOLA - Daniel Ferguson, Peter McInnes
(L to R) Daniel Ferguson, Peter McInnes
Celebrating 10 years of FOLA - Daniel Ferguson, Margaret Broeks
(L to R) Daniel Ferguson, Margaret Broeks


Celebrating 10 years of FOLA - Dr Alan Bundy, Peter McInnes, Jenny Gleeson
(L to R) Dr Alan Bundy, Peter McInnes,
Jenny Gleeson
Celebrating 10 years of FOLA - Daniel Ferguson, Phil Walshe
(L to R) Daniel Ferguson, Phil Walshe


Celebrating 10 years of FOLA - Dr Alan Bundy
Dr Alan Bundy
Celebrating 10 years of FOLA - Daniel Ferguson, Jellie Wyckelsma
(L to R) Daniel Ferguson, Jellie Wyckelsma



New President for FOLA

Alan Bundy, President of Friends of Libraries Australia

Dr Alan Bundy was elected the new President of FOLA on 3 December 2004. He succeeds Peter McInnes, who had been President since 1997.

Dr Bundy recently retired as University Librarian, University of South Australia and is a former President of the Australian Library & Information Association.



Australian Bookstart: a national issue, a compelling case

Bookstart programs generally endeavour to ensure that all babies, through their parents or caregivers, receive a free kit from their local public library containing at least one quality board book, information on the critical importance of developing the literacy of children by reading to them as babies, and information on library membership and storytimes.

A 2004 survey of Australian public libraries showed that a number of libraries were involved in forms of Bookstart programs, and that many others wished to provide Bookstart.

The full report (PDF - 862KB) can be viewed on our web site.