Books! What are we reading (Aug, 23)
We love to know what people are reading and what to add to our ‘To Be Read’ pile of books. Victoria (Board member) Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng This book is a gripping mystery that focuses on a missing teenage girl in 1970s Ohio. The narrative digs into the complexities of family…
Introducing volunteer hairdresser at The Hub, Casey Munyard
When Casey Munyard saw an advertisement for a volunteer hairdresser to help at The Footpath Library’s Hub service in Sydney, she jumped at the chance. “I was looking to volunteer my time as I wanted to give back to people who need it most in our community, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity,’ said…
A chat with author, Emma Viskic, about the two-way street of volunteering
In July, we had the pleasure of talking with Emma Viskic, a volunteer with The Footpath Library in Melbourne and published author of four novels. Emma became a volunteer at one of our mobile libraries after Melbourne came out of COVID lockdowns. Here, she shares with us her experience of volunteering. ‘My journey to become a volunteer…
Journalist, teacher and book lover leaves a lasting legacy that supports The Footpath Library
The Footpath Library has been fortunate to receive funding over the past two years from The Greeba Jamison Perpetual Charitable Trust. Last year’s funding came just at the right time when our Melbourne mobile library services had been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and extended lockdown periods. The grant enabled The Footpath Library to recommence…
Children’s Book Week (19-25 Aug, 2023) – Read, Grow, Inspire
Since 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia has run Children’s Book Week. This year, from 19-25 August, children around Australia will be celebrating books and a love of reading in schools, libraries and community organisations. Parents will – no doubt – be honing their book week costume-making skills. The Footpath Library believes wholeheartedly that…
We LOVE our Partners!
Recently, Hachette Australia and Knit4Charities gave us books and hand-knitted items for the beautiful women at Carrie’s Place and Jenny’s Place, in the Hunter NSW. We were able to deliver a supply of books and hand-knitted beanies, scarves and knee blankets for the winter months. Carrie’s Place provides a range of culturally appropriate services for people experiencing…
Reading Matters
We recently had the privilege to sit down with some of our readers who attend our mobile libraries in Melbourne and talk about what reading means to them; and as always happens, we all walked away with fuller hearts and a steadfast commitment to keep doing what we’re doing, because… reading matters. We met with…
Books! What are we reading?
We love to know what people are reading and what to add to our ‘To Be Read’ pile of books. This month, we have books recommendations from staff, volunteers and reader friends. Raj (Board member) Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight This is a candid memoir of Nike…
Books are a catalyst for connection at Northcott public housing estate, Sydney
Footpath Chatter – This month, we spoke to Alison, who coordinates a book club at Northcott public housing estate in inner Sydney. Alison has lived at Northcott for the last 22 of her 83 years. As a retired high school teacher of English, History and Film & television, she is a voracious reader, and has…
Introducing Raj Pillay
We’d like to welcome Raj Pillay as our new Board Member, based in Melbourne. Raj is Senior Legal Counsel at National Australia Bank, and specialises in commercial litigation and regulatory investigations. ‘I joined the board of The Footpath Library because I am passionate about mental health and social change and the two concerns work well…
Focus on a Funder: IMB Bank Community Foundation
The Footpath Library is pleased to call IMB Bank Community Foundation supporters in our mobile library service at Martin Place, Sydney, having received funding for the past two years. IMB Bank Community Foundation understands that not-for-profit and volunteer organisations are the backbone of local communities and need financial support to help Australians in their time…
What’s happening on the Street?
2023 has been busy across our programs in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Here’s a quick update on what’s been happening across The Footpath Library Programs. Sydney Apart from our regular service at Martin Place, The Footpath Library has commenced monthly mobile libraries at neighbourhood centres in Waterloo and Newtown, as well as trialing a new…
Volunteering provides insight into homelessness and new friendships
Gini has been a volunteer with The Footpath Library in Melbourne for over two years. Through The Footpath Library, she provides books, glasses and warm clothes to people experiencing homelessness and those who live in public ad social housing. She volunteers because she loves to meet new people and form lasting bonds; she’s also…
The importance of leisure for people experiencing homelessness
Observing a fountain and watching the water trickle down; imagining being a detective and traversing the city to see its secrets: according to the Daily Jstor, people experiencing homelessness use their free time in creative and inspiring ways. “Books put me in touch with minds greater than my own that I will never…
The many benefits of reading to improve mental health
Like any part of the body, the brain needs exercise to keep it strong, happy and healthy. Reading is one way to keep your mind active and has been shown to benefit mental health, improve memory and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Books offer something for everyone. Whether you’re…
Volunteers are the driving force of The Footpath Library’s Perth mobile library services
The volunteer team behind the mobile library services in Perth continue to be continues to be the driving force that ensures people experiencing homelessness can access books and reading glasses, according to The Footpath Library’s new Perth Programs Manager, Camille Grubba. “The volunteer team in Perth is amazing,” explains Camille. “Our volunteers have stuck through…
Coming back from COVID lockdowns
After receiving the title of World’s Most Locked Down City, Melbourne is starting to move again and that includes The Footpath Library. The need for social connection and conversation, as well as books, reading glasses and beanies has never been greater, and thanks to The Footpath Library volunteers, people experiencing homelessness are able to get…
The Footpath Library pilots a Hub of connection for people experiencing homelessness
Apart from running our regular mobile library outreach at Martin Place, The Footpath Library is currently piloting a monthly service, The Hub, in Sydney inner west, where people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage can access a range of support services. The Hub aims to provide a welcoming, safe space and a ‘one-stop-shop’ to ease the challenges…
National Homelessness Week 1-7 August
Today marks the beginning of National Homelessness Week, which is an annual event to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in Australia. On any given night, 116,000 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness (ABS, 2016). At The Footpath Library, we believe that number is under-represented. “The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the devastating…
Homeless people aren’t literary? Think again .
“Michael started to visit the library regularly and we would have deep conversations about art and books.”
