Led by the State Library of Queensland (SLQ), in partnership with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Australian Public Libraries Alliance (APLA) the Australian Summer Reading Club (SRC) is an annual program that supports continued development of multi-literacy skills in children and young people, including reading, writing, creative arts and multimedia technology skills during the summer months.

Formerly a Queensland state initiative, the SLQ Summer Reading Club was delivered annually in Queensland public libraries and online for 8 years prior to its expansion in 2011 as a national summer reading program.

The SRC provides themed content and resources to enable parents, library staff and others to support the local engagement of children in an enjoyable reading program during their break from school.

The SRC aims to assist public libraries in stimulating a love of reading and building a lifelong library habit.

Participation in the SRC allows children and young people the opportunity to:

ENGAGE with libraries and library collections
DISCOVER and develop knowledge, understanding and skills related to the annual SRC theme and
ENJOY reading books and participating in activities that inspire a love of reading, literature and the library habit.

How is the SRC delivered?

Engagement with libraries is central to the Summer Reading Club program.

Funding contributions from ALIA, APLA, SLQ and program sponsors and contributors enables the annual creation and delivery of a themed SRC program and resources for use by public libraries.

Libraries who register their participation receive access to downloadable program materials and ongoing support in the delivery of their SRC programs.

Development of program resources at a national scale minimises participation costs for public libraries while allowing libraries the flexibility to deliver SRC programming that is responsive to their members’ needs.

During the summer months children and parents participate in SRC activities and programs across Australia, both online and in community spaces.