Celebrating 10 years of positive and inclusive communities

Communities are so important for families, especially babies and young children. When children have a positive sense of community they make friends, feel connected and participate in experiences that help them to thrive.

Over the past decade, thousands of families have experienced warmth, belonging and community with First 5 Forever. Libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland are creating safe, child-friendly, welcoming spaces so families are seen and valued as soon as they walk through the door.  

Here are some of the wonderful ways libraries build connection and community with First 5 Forever.

Gold Coast Libraries values the important role dads and men have in the reading lives of children with an award-winning 2023 campaign: When men read it is a different story.  They bring their own style of storytelling through ‘silly’ voices, throwbacks to their own childhood, and linking the story to real or imaginary events. The way dads and men share stories with children adds layers of meaning and opportunities for connection that support language development and all-important build bonds.  

With children and families at the heart of First 5 Forever, many library spaces have been shaped, even built, to promote play-based environments and sensory rich experiences. Mackay Regional Council Libraries have prioritised inclusion by using a First 5 Forever Microgrant to refurbish the children’s area in the Gordon White Library. 

Libraries have always been about more than books. They are places where learning and inclusion go hand-in-hand. 

CairnsLibraries brings these values to First 5 Forever story time through the LETS program for culturally and linguistically diverse families. In partnership with TAFE Queensland and Centracare, the Learn English Through Storytime program provides parents the opportunity to learn English as their child participates in an inclusive story time, building language skills and a sense of belonging for both parent and child that supports home literacy engagement. 

For Fraser Coast Libraries, inclusion means reaching more families. With their dedicated First 5 Forever van they’re bringing pop up story times to families across the region, in parks, day care centres, community events, and reaching into outlying communities where visiting the library may be challenging for families. 

While for Goondiwindi Regional Libraries inclusion means re-thinking delivery of First 5 Forever sessions using a Smart Board and Video Bar to enhance and enrich storytelling, songs, and other interactive activities for families. 

This year, we celebrate all the champions of childhood, librarians, practitioners, parents and caregivers who contribute to a positive, welcoming and inclusive start for the children in their communities.