Being literate is critical to a successful and creative future. 14 May. The Centre, which has evolved from the Youth Literature Program conducted for eight years by Agnes Nieuwenhuizen, is working to improve understanding of how and why young people read, and encouraging them to read by choice throughout their teenage years.
Evidence indicates that reading drops off as children move into their teenage years.
This inevitably impacts on literacy, employability and quality of life. Parents, teachers, librarians and authors are struggling to keep reading alive and make it as attractive as other competing activities as children grow older. The Australian Centre for Youth Literature is a unique response to this age-related decline in reading. National in focus, it will continue its innovative events-based activities for children, young adults and adults and stage events from its program at venues throughout Australia. There is no other centre in the world doing this kind of active work with readers and stakeholders combined with research and professional development.