An initiative to support literacy skills for young children has recorded more than a doubling in participation.
More than 36,000 participants engaged with Cairns Libraries’ First 5 Forever (F5F) early and family literacy program from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
That was an increase of about 19,000 participants from the previous financial year (2021/22).
The ninth year of F5F program included 801 events delivered onsite at Council libraries as well as community outreach programs and other partnerships.
F5F is an initiative of the Queensland Government, developed and coordinated by the State Library of Queensland, aimed at supporting stronger language and literacy environments for young children aged five years and under.
Council has committed to delivering the program for the next three years, with the support of an estimated $620,000 in Queensland Government grant funding.
