Book Supply: Bringing Books to Remote Communities Across Australia

About Book Supply

Every year, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) sends thousands of books to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia.

Schools, libraries and Community groups order packs containing a selection of books chosen by the Book Supply selection panel, with packs sent out twice a year for varying age groups. What most people don't see is how much work happens before those books leave the warehouse.

“When kids grab a book and realise it’s about them, it makes them feel good. It values them.” – Tammy Abala, ILF Community Ambassador

Book Supply would not be possible without the support of our Major Partner Australia Post, we are able to deliver more than 150,000 books a year to over 500 remote Communities, many of them in places most delivery networks never reach.

How does Book Supply work?

Each year, eligible organisations  are invited to order packs containing a curated selection of books chosen by ILF’s Book Supply selection panel. Orders are placed through an online system, distributed from the warehouse, and are shipped to Communities across the country.

At the same time, work is already underway on the following year's packs. Publishers submit titles, hundreds of books are reviewed, and selections are made well before the next round of orders opens.

It's a year-round cycle of selecting, ordering, packing and delivering books.

The numbers

A typical year includes:

• More than 4,000 book packs assembled 
• Nearly 2,000 remote Community contacts emailed invitations to order 
• Over 1,000 books reviewed for future packs 
• Around 150,000 books distributed to remote Communities around the country 

The planning for next year's packs starts five months before this year's packs have all been ordered and delivered.

Here's a look at what goes into the Book Supply program each year.

“In 2023, we had just over 50% of books by Indigenous writers and illustrators. In 2026, it was 65%. This representation is something I'm most excited by. Not only are we delivering more books that resonate with kids in Community, it feels our selecting them is having an impact on the number of Indigenous books being published generally.” - Brad, Book Supply Program Lead

The annual Book Supply journey

Stage 1: Preparing the program

The year begins with updating the online ordering system, refreshing catalogues and assembling book packs ready for ordering. The first release opens for orders, with invitations sent to remote Community contacts and requests beginning to arrive.

Stage 2: Delivering books to Communities

The first wave of book packs leaves the warehouse and begins reaching Communities across Australia. While deliveries continue, planning for the next year starts, with publishers invited to submit titles and more than 1,000 books reviewed for consideration.

Stage 3: Selecting the next collection

The Book Supply Selection Panel initially shortlists titles and then decides which books will feature in the following year’s packs. A second release then opens, allowing remote Community contacts who missed out in the first release (or who are new to the program) the opportunity to place their orders.  Books that make the final lists for packs are ordered from publishers. 

Stage 4: Preparing for the next year

Second-release packs continue arriving in Communities while new books from publishers begin arriving at our warehouse for sorting and assembling into packs. Final orders are processed and preparations begin for the next year’s Book Supply program.

The impact of Book Supply

At its core, Book Supply is about access. By providing books to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, the program helps ensure children, families and educators have more opportunities to read, learn and share stories.

What Communities that receive Book Supply packs are saying:

“Fantastic program for our Community, thank you for your generosity.”

Iama (Yam Island), QLD

“I use the books as part of our school's reading challenge and then on Indigenous Literacy Day, I give them to the students as gifts to take home.”

Walgett, NSW

“Thank you for this opportunity. We have a crèche at our school as well. We will share with them.”

Timber Creek, NT

“Thank you - we love these books - they really support our students' interest in reading and learning of reading.”

Wyndham, WA

“The children absolutely love receiving their free book when they come to see a child health nurse and we use them at our Under 8s and Under 5s day Community promotional days. Thank you so much for this program!”

Cooktown, QLD

“We love sharing books with our families and the children are very engaged in reading during our Kindilink (0-3) sessions. Thank you.”

Looma, WA