Readings Libraries
In 2024, The Readings Foundation supported Next Steps Australia by donating a grant to create libraries of children’s books in five domestic violence refuges in regional locations throughout Victoria.
The Readings Foundation worked with Next Steps Australia to place libraries of brand new, age-appropriate, high-quality books into five refuges for families in rural locations around the state.
One thousand carefully curated children’s books were shipped in total, suitable for ages ranging from birth to eighteen years. These were distributed to the refuges, which were also provided with bookshelves on which to display the books. This vibrant and enticing library of books is freely accessible for children and their caregivers to relax, spend quality time together and gain respite for a little while.
Joanne Miller of the Centre Against Violence said: ‘We are so grateful to Readings and Next Steps Australia for their incredible support in creating a beautiful library for our refuge accommodation. With their generous grant, one of our rooms has been transformed into a peaceful library, study space and meeting room for our clients. This beautiful new library offers children and their parent a safe, quiet space to discover the joy of reading, share stories, and create calm and positive experiences together.
Children exposed to family violence are at higher risk of developing behavioural and emotional issues. Connecting and engaging with a parent or caregiver can alter the trajectory of a child’s experience and aid recovery from family violence. Reading to and playing with a child are ways of sharing positive experiences. Reading not only develops language and literacy skills but allows an opportunity for the child and caregiver to bond.
The feedback from domestic violence refuges who received a book library in 2024 was so positive that the Readings Foundation plan to continue working with Next Steps Australia to increase our reach to six or even seven refuges in 2025, within both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. We hope that by providing these book libraries in refuges we can support families escaping from domestic violence, give them an opportunity for regaining closeness, and champion the joys and importance of reading for pleasure to children of all ages and their caregivers.
