Book Links is a volunteer run, not for profit organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and has DGR Status.

Vision

Develop generations of literate children and young people who appreciate all forms of story and how story is created.

Mission

Link people and groups throughout the community with stories and experiences to build literacy and learning, so as to enrich lives.

Objectives

• Establish and grow vibrant spaces (fixed and flexible places, and on line) to nurture communities where children and young adults are exposed to literature; stimulated to be imaginative and artistic; and where stories and their creators are valued.
• Support networking, events, learning and an appreciation of story for children and young adults throughout the community.
• Promote authors, illustrators and storytellers for children and young people.

History

In 2004, the Queensland Branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia celebrated its 50th anniversary. During that year members were keen to develop commemorative projects to celebrate this key milestone, whilst furthering the aims of the CBCA in Queensland in some distinct way.

A small group of dedicated and passionate lovers of children’s literature took this opportunity to explore the possibility of establishing a Children’s Literature Centre in Queensland.

The outcome was that it would be more effective initially, to establish a presence through the provision of a range of activities aimed primarily at school age children and others who have a strong interest in children’s literature; namely librarians, parents, teachers, students and researchers before embarking on an actual physical centre.

The long journey of red tape and discussions began and finally Book Links emerged and was registered as an Incorporated Association in February 2006.

Book Links became a partner organisation of A State of Writing which formed when a number of organisations relocated to The State Library of Queensland. These included Queensland Writers Centre, Queensland Poetry Festival, Book Links (Qld) and The Children’s Book Council of Australia (Qld).  The new initiative A State of Writing was announced in September 2009 by Premier and Minister for the Arts, Anna Bligh, at the ceremony for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards. The goal was to connect writers, readers and ideas through a vibrant network of writing and cultural organisations in Queensland.

Since then, Book Links has expanded adding a support group for writers and illustrators called Write Links and a review site called StoryLinks.

We hope to make a significant contribution to the appreciation and understanding of children’s and youth literature for its primary audience of children and young people, as well as to authors, illustrators, educators and others within the wider community.