OUR STORY
In 2003, Sarah Garnett was volunteering with one of the food vans in Sydney’s CBD, when a simple observation changed her life.
“One evening I noticed a man sitting under a streetlight, reading a novel, while waiting for the food van. I started to bring him a few books every week and it was from that humble beginning the original The Footpath Library grew.”
Today, two decades later, The Footpath Library continues to run regular mobile library outreach services in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, giving away more than 12,000 books a year to people experiencing homelessness.
The Footpath Library operates with the generous support of a range of Australian publishers, book stores and book reviewers, who donate new books, as well as avid readers in the general public who donate their preloved favourites.
OUR VISION
The Footpath Library encourages the benefits of reading and connection by giving quality books to people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness
Our key objectives:
To increase the benefits of reading for people experiencing homelessness
To provide access to free, quality books to people experiencing homelessness
To operate mobile libraries that stock quality, relevant books
To raise awareness and understanding about homelessness
To create a safe and welcoming space where people experiencing homelessness can feel socially connected
The potential benefits of reading for our reader friends of The Footpath Library are:
Maintaining and improving literacy
Mental stimulation
Knowledge
Reduction in stress and anxiety
The pleasure of reading a great story
A distraction from daily life
A connection with a past interest or other readers
OUR VALUES