This free online library collection is changing the reading game

Posted on 14 September, 2022

From when a child first picks up a book, it takes around 500 books to build a lifelong habit of reading. That’s the magic number Library for All is aiming to get to with their Our Yarning collection. 

It is an online digital library filled with the lived stories and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country, curated into gorgeous tales for children to read. 

“We’ve got research to show that when the kids start learning to read, they would be more inclined to keep reading if they see themselves in the books,” says Our Yarning’s Aboriginal cultural advisor, Dr Julie Owen.

“When I was growing up and my kids were growing up, there were no stories about my culture, my life, or my community. The only books that my kids ended up reading, were about how Captain Cook came in and how we have the lowest health status and the highest unemployment level….When we want to learn to read, we’ve got nothing that encourages us to be involved in that story.” 

Reading is a key to unlocking a million doors for the future and providing books that will get children rushing to turn the page will play a large role in switching the narrative on the current disproportionate impact that illiteracy skills and low education attainment is having on Aboriginal children across Australia. 

“When kids start to read and the light goes on in their brain. Then they have the whole world in their hands, they can go out and they can do forms or get their licence and employment,” says Julie. 

There are currently libraries full of children’s books that are designed to entertain and educate but there is a distinct lack of books that mirror Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and allow them to see a reflection of themselves on the pages. 

What would have traditionally been stories told around a campfire to help teach the next generation the life lessons learned by the past, are now illustrated stories that can be accessed nation wide through an app, allowing children to see their identities celebrated. 

“Sharing these stories is vitally important—they’re seeing their own country, they’re seeing a culture that’s been here since time began. A lot of the kids probably won’t meet an Aboriginal person until they’re older, especially in a place maybe like Canberra or some of the little towns around the ACT,” Julie says. 

One big bonus for the Our Yarning collection is that they are all available online (and offline for those times the Wi-Fi decides it has had enough). 

“These little readers are pretty indestructible, they can either be on a tablet or a phone. So, they can read and read and read as many as they like without worrying about the dogs eating them, their siblings ripping them up or losing them and the library lady growling at them. It’s just a bit more accessible,” Julie says. 

To help create these books Julie travels around the country, going into communities that invite her and helping the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander locals put their words down onto paper. 

Canberra is next on her travel list. She will be hosting workshops, public lectures and an interesting in-person conversation with Huw Kingston, all happening next week at the University of Canberra. 

Not Indigenous but still want to help create? Illustrators are in high demand to showcase their skills and bring to life the words on the page. Find out how you can donate, download and get involved here.