As we come to the end of Loneliness Awareness Week, Public Libraries Victoria is delighted to share a column by our President and CEO of Geelong Regional Libraries Vanessa Schernickau.
Want an antidote to loneliness? Visit a library appeared in the Geelong Advertiser on 5 August 2025.
‘Libraries can’t solve the loneliness epidemic,’ Vanessa writes, ‘but they can help millions of people in our communities feel less alone.’
Loneliness is a critical issue and is recognised as a public health priority for many countries around the world. However, despite being highly prevalent, loneliness isn’t widely understood or spoken about in Australia.
Loneliness Awareness Week is held annually in the first week of August. It is designed to shine a spotlight on the shared experience of loneliness and calls on all Australians, including individuals, communities, workplaces, education, and government, to take action to reduce loneliness and create more opportunities for meaningful social connections.