The LBW Trust (Learning for a Better World) believes education is the pathway to a better future.
In 2024, The LBW Trust, in partnership with Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA), continues to make a meaningful impact by supporting 79 country libraries across rural and remote Australia. These libraries serve as vital community hubs, offering more than just books—they bridge educational gaps and create spaces for connection, resilience and growth.
Country Libraries: Safe, Welcoming Spaces for Learning and Connection
In Australia’s smaller towns with populations under 20,000, access to educational opportunities can be limited. While urban areas are teeming with diverse schools, universities and vocational programs, rural communities often struggle to provide similar resources.
This is where country libraries step in as indispensable lifelines.
For many, libraries are more than just places to borrow books; they are safe, welcoming “third spaces”—a term that refers to environments beyond home and work where people can gather, connect, and engage in meaningful learning. In rural areas, libraries often become the only places that offer access to educational resources, digital tools, and community-driven programs.
By partnering with FOLA, The LBW Trust ensures that country libraries remain vibrant and essential centres for learning and social interaction. From fostering early literacy to teaching digital skills, these libraries offer informal educational opportunities that help strengthen local communities and empower residents.
The LBW Trust’s Support: Building Stronger Communities Through Libraries
The LBW Trust’s funding enables libraries to launch tailored programs that address the unique needs of their communities. In 2024, these initiatives made a lasting impact on people of all ages in rural Australia, from children exploring STEM to seniors learning digital literacy.
2024 Funding Initiatives Across Australia
New South Wales Country Libraries
- Braidwood Library: Situated in a small town of 1,712 people, the library will use grant funding to host a puppetry workshop led by professional puppeteer Marianne Mettes from PuppetOodle. The program will allow 30 children to enjoy a puppet show, experience hands-on learning and foster social connection while empowering library staff to incorporate new skills into future programs.
Victoria Country Libraries
- Indigo Shire Libraries: Serving a population of 17,368, the library will expand its graphic novel collection to promote verbal and visual literacy among children aged 5–12. Each of the four branches will host two events showcasing the collection to inspire more children and their families to engage with the library.
Queensland Country Libraries
Innisfail Library
- Expanded its Makerspace program with updated STEAM resources, such as coding games and robots, for community-wide use.
Quilpie Shire Council Library
- Enhanced a weekly coding club by purchasing technology like Makey-Makey kits, inspiring hands-on learning for children.
Mount Isa City Library
- Reintroduced popular robotics workshops with newly purchased robots featuring improved battery life and functionality.
South Australia Country Libraries
- Robe Public Library: Serving a community of 1,500, the library will host SeaStar Rock during the Winter Holiday Program, an interactive music and dance performance for children aged 0–7 that promotes environmental sustainability and positivity. The event will take place in the Institute Hall, with library staff managing marketing and door support and funding supplemented by the library budget.
- Bordertown Public Library: Serving a town of 6,580, the library will host Adelaide-based performer Nitro Nat for an interactive science show exploring the physics of motion. Designed as a free, family-friendly event, the program aims to inspire curiosity and broaden science literacy by providing an engaging learning experience for all ages in a community with limited access to such opportunities.
- Burra Community Library: Serving a population of 3,000, the library will create Take Home Literacy Boxes for families with preschool children, supporting early literacy development as part of the Words Grow Minds campaign. Each themed box will include resources to encourage reading, singing, and interactive play, fostering foundational literacy skills at home.



Western Australia Country Libraries
- Denmark Public Library
- Developed birdwatching kits, complete with binoculars and field guides, to promote environmental education.
- Albany Public Library
- Hosted Noongar language and performance workshops, fostering cultural connections and community engagement.
3. Shire of Augusta Margaret River Libraries
- Delivered digital literacy training for seniors, helping them navigate technology with confidence.
Libraries as Hubs for Lifelong Learning and Community Connection
At their core, country libraries are more than just places to borrow books—they are community hubs that foster lifelong learning and bring people together. In many rural towns, these libraries are the only spaces that offer access to essential services such as technology, internet and digital literacy programs. They serve as safe environments where people of all ages can learn, explore and connect with others.
The libraries supported by The LBW Trust are empowering local residents to engage with educational opportunities they might otherwise miss. Whether it’s through STEAM workshops for kids, digital literacy classes for seniors, or cultural programs celebrating First Nation’s heritage, these libraries are essential to community well-being.
Importantly, libraries offer a sense of belonging.
They are spaces where people can connect beyond the confines of work and home, forming relationships, sharing experiences, and collaborating on local projects. In small rural towns, libraries often provide a much-needed social fabric that brings communities together.
The Road Ahead: A Future of Resilience and Growth
As The LBW Trust’s partnership with FOLA continues to evolve, the future of country libraries looks bright. These institutions will remain at the heart of rural communities, providing a safe, welcoming space for people to learn, share and grow. With continued funding and support, libraries will continue to be the cornerstone of resilient communities, helping residents navigate the digital age, foster curiosity and stay connected.
In 2024, the partnership between The LBW Trust and FOLA exemplifies the transformative power of libraries. These “third spaces” are helping build stronger, more resilient communities across Australia—one library at a time.
By supporting country libraries, we’re not just investing in education; we’re investing in the future of rural Australia.
Get Involved in Levelling the Playing Field in Education
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Thank you,
The LBW Trust