The National Library has a long-standing role to encourage reading engagement in school communities, alongside its work to provide library services, resources and capability support for schools. In the context of declining literacy, growing research on the benefits of reading for pleasure, disparity of access to support for reading, and the recognition that these challenges required a collective approach, the National Library launched the Pūtoi Rito Communities of Readers (Pūtoi Rito) initiative in 2019. Pūtoi Rito aimed to enable and empower children and young people in communities across New Zealand to access opportunities and the support they need to develop a love of reading. We worked with six different communities and cross-sector partners across New Zealand testing out approaches and strategies for the local context and developing resources, research and insights.
Putoi Rito was one of the three inter-connected National Library initiatives established to support our aspiration to grow a nation of readers - alongside Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador for children and young people and He Parekereke - a cross-sector coalition of sector and research partners to ensure sustainable impact. The insights and resources developed are helping to shape and influence future priorities and starting to build a foundation for collaboration in growing and sustaining young readers in New Zealand.
This address explores the transformative impact of Pūtoi Rito. We will delve into the project's goals, its innovative strategies, and the remarkable progress achieved in engaging diverse communities and cultivating a love of reading. This presentation will showcase the project's successes, address the challenges encountered, and offer valuable insights for anyone committed to empowering individuals through the magic of reading.

Pūtoi Rito demonstrated that: Given the right conditions and opportunities, all young people can enjoy reading and gain the benefits of reading for pleasure – across different settings, diversity and cultural factors, ages and abilities. Building a culture of reading works best when it is a collaborative effort between schools, libraries, families and communities and makes the most of the national and local resources and connections available.