eSmart News Item

On behalf of the Telstra Foundation and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, we have the great pleasure of announcing an $8 million, multi-year partnership to work alongside libraries to develop and deliver eSmart Libraries - one of the most significant community cybersafety initiatives ever undertaken in Australia. 

The partnership was officially announced by The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia, on Monday, 27 August 2012 at Customs House, Sydney.

eSmart is a behaviour change initiative for cybersafety and wellbeing. It is an online system that provides a road map to the tools and resources that will equip the library community with the skills and knowledge they need for the smart, safe and responsible use of technology.

Both Foundations recognise that libraries are an essential community resource for supporting digital inclusion. With support from their governing bodies, they are taking advantage of new technologies and the online world. In recent years, many libraries have looked at how they can balance the opportunities of online technology while maintaining their responsibilities to set good standards and help library users.

The Telstra Foundation’s substantial funding will upscale these efforts and provide a significant, consistent and holistic approach and offer this opportunity to all of Australia’s 1,500 public libraries over the next five years.

The full media release is available here or you can visit www.amf.org.au