First 5 Forever

How is it delivered?

First 5 Forever began as a four-year $20m initiative delivered through public libraries and IKCs in partnership with local government. In 2018 the Queensland Government announced ongoing annual funding of $5m to support the delivery of First 5 Forever and continue the valued role that libraries and IKCs play in supporting early literacy development through free programs and services.

First 5 Forever funding is distributed to local councils to enable flexible local implementation of the program within the parameters of the First 5 Forever Service Level Agreement (SLA) in consultation with State Library of Queensland.

Why libraries?

Public libraries are ideally placed to work with their communities to bring about long-term positive change and address Queensland’s performance in children’s literacy as they offer a range of services to support literacy development to over 300 locations across Queensland. 

Libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres form a large existing network across Queensland that connects into every community. These organisations are major providers of free activities and resources for families and provide a range of services which aim to support children’s literacy development, foster an interest in reading and develop a love of learning.

First 5 Forever facts at a glance

• Over 2 million Queenslanders are a member of their local public library

• Over 4.5 million attendances at early literacy sessions in libraries recorded to date

• 68,290 estimated attendances in 2020-21 at 1,954 outreach events

• 1,084 partner organisations and agencies engaged with libraries to deliver First 5 Forever in 2020-21 indicating a strong investment in early literacy at a local level

• 163,063 page views on the First 5 Forever webpages 

State Library of Queensland looks forward to partnering with Local Government to deliver First 5 Forever in Queensland communities through libraries and IKCs to build strong literacy foundations for all Queenslanders.