The Jane Austen was launched ten years ago, on October 30, 2014! In celebration, our Founder & Chair, Caroline Jane Knight, has taken a trip down memory lane in our latest issue of Pride & Possibilities. You can read Caroline's reflections of the growth of the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation from inception to the global literacy organisation it is today.

"Thanks to all of you, we are succeeding in our endeavours. The Foundation is my life’s work. Thank you to each and every one of you for making my vision a reality, I couldn’t be more grateful. The last ten years have given me more joy than I ever imagined. I am so proud of the organization we have created and the literacy impact we are making together." Caroline Jane Knight


Join our Community today!

Maybe you already love to read and want to share in the joy of being part of a community of readers that want to make a positive difference. Or perhaps you struggle to find time and inspiration in a busy life to read as regularly as you’d like. Our Community activities are designed to help everyone read more and connect with the Jane Austen’s family, Foundation Ambassadors and fellow book lovers who share your passion for meaningful reading.

If you are eager to share in the pure joy of reading, get ready for our exciting monthly reading challenges, cozy up with your own book at our regular Time To Read sessions, get access to our exclusive private Facebook group, and enjoy a range of events and activities where every page you turn helps support Jane Austen Literacy Foundation programs and activities.


NEW RELEASE! Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Writing Competition 2023 Winning Stories Audiobook

Listen to our three winning stories of 2023, selected by a panel of judges including Susannah Harker (Jane Bennet P&P 1995), Natalie Jenner (author of The Jane Austen Society) and Justin Young (lead writer Sanditon Seasons 2 & 3), recorded as an audiobook by multi award winning narrator, Alison Larkin, and published worldwide.

The three stories were published for the public to vote and last year’s winner is Small Print by Faith Cobaine.


NEW!

Darcy and Elizabeth Silhouette Bookplates

These beautiful bookplates come as a pair, and are made in silhouette style in homage to its popularity in Jane’s time and to leave room for your imagination.

Our bookplates are personalised with your name in Jane Austen’s handwriting, or the name of a friend - they make a GREAT gift!


CONNECTING THROUGH LITERACY

We connect a world-wide community of people who believe in the power of literacy and want to help those who need it.

Founded by Caroline Jane Knight, Jane Austen’s fifth great niece, the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation is a registered not for profit organisation run by volunteers. We run online literacy programs and activities that connect people across the world. We connect Literacy Mentors with schools and students to help improve literacy skills. We connect donors with the literacy programs we fund in developing communities, which in turn connect children with the world around them. 100% of donations received are spent on literacy programs and activities.

Learn more about us →

 

GIVE THE GIFT OF LITERACY

Help us today to improve literacy rates

 
 

The Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Bookplate Shop is here!

Bookplates are a traditional way to indicate ownership of physical books and were commonly used in Jane Austen's time. Bookplates can play an important role in teaching our children the value of books and stimulate conversation about which are your favourite books and why. You can also enjoy the sheer pleasure of marking one of your favourite books with a beautifully designed bookplate, personalised with your name in Jane Austen’s handwriting.

Choose from our Collection and enter the name you would like on the bookplate - they make a great gift! Your bookplates will be emailed to you within 3 days, ready to print, cut and paste into your favourite book.


DIY AUSTEN DRAMA PRESENTS

Sanditon Season 2 Square.jpg

Sanditon Season 2: Parker Brothers Build the Boardwalk is an online DIY theatrical extravaganza for our times:

  • An innovative, Zoom-acted, ten part re-telling of the Sanditon story by Jane Austen

  • Narrated by her fifth great niece Caroline Jane Knight from Chawton, where Jane wrote Sanditon in 1817

  • Written by Carol Lisa O’Brien and performed in the pandemic by 30 strangers from around the world

  • Free to watch exclusively on the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation YouTube channel – any advertising revenue will be used to fund literacy projects

 

JANE, libraries AND LITERACY

Libraries and mentors are as important for literacy today as they were for Jane Austen two hundred years ago. 

 
 

LITERACY MATTERS

Being able to read and write is a necessity

EDUCATION

Education is the key to self improvement and unlocking one's potential. Literacy is the gateway to pride and possibilities.

EMPOWERMENT

Literacy increases empathy, imagination and creativity. It is an essential skill for those who want to understand, enjoy and influence the world around them.

ENJOYMENT

The simple pleasure of reading a book is universal. "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading" - Jane Austen.