ABOUT US
The Commons Library is an online library for the change makers of the world and for those interested in activism, organizing, advocacy and justice.
The Commons Library has…
1500+ Resources to Access
The Commons has 1500+ educational resources to access in all different formats including podcasts, videos, book excerpts, articles, templates and guides. There is something for everyone – start browsing.
15 000+ Visitors a Week
The Commons is an online library built for the benefit of the Australian public, but with many visitors from around the world. The Commons supports learning across countries, movements, and approaches to change.
1000+ Contributors & 45 Collections
The Commons is made possible by the voluntary contributions of many writers and organisations. Learn how to collaborate with the Commons, contribute writing and explore collections from around the world.
What We Do
The Go-To Portal for Social Change
The Commons Library is a trusted hub for social change resources, bringing together materials from individuals and organisations around the world in one accessible, easy-to-use platform. Our librarians continually add new resources and curate clear pathways so changemakers save time, build on what exists, and access the knowledge they need to act.
Partnerships & Collaborations
The Commons works in partnership and provides customised services to organisations and networks engaged in social change activities. This includes collating resource kits, hosting collections, developing curriculum, writing case studies, researching issues and building new resource libraries. Find out more about our partnerships and projects and collaborate with us.
Respond to Movement Moments
The Commons Librarians track trends and emerging needs across social movements worldwide. In moments of crisis or opportunity, they quickly curate and share timely, practical resources to support people to act, adapt and make the most of the moment, strengthening movements when it matters most.
Provide Advice & Support
The librarians handle queries on a wide range of social change topics. Quick, targeted recommendations help changemakers access what they need and return to their work efficiently. Some questions spark larger research projects, leading to the creation of new resources that expand the Commons, strengthening social change efforts over time.
Share Lessons & Inspiration
Social movement history shows that change can happen! It offers inspiration, strategic insights, lessons learned and a toolbox of tactics that today’s changemakers can draw on. The Commons gathers historical resources with a particular emphasis on Australian stories, while also connecting them to lessons and examples from movements around the world.
Amplify the Impact of Conferences
Conferences generate valuable knowledge and innovation, but without careful curation their impact can fade quickly.
The Commons team captures, preserves and shares key insights so they reach wider audiences and stay useful over time, extending the life of ideas and making learning accessible long after events end.
What Guides Us
Mission
The Commons Library exists to make social movements smarter and stronger. We gather and share tools, resources and inspiration from Australia and around the world.
Vision
Our Vision is an Australia with well informed, skilled, collaborative and effective movements for social and ecological justice.
Values
Fostering the common good with a focus on: Quality, Impact, Innovation, Helpfulness, Openess, Inclusion, Influence, Connection and Community.
The Commons Library is a gift to the world. It’s a contribution to support our learning, to make sure that we don’t have to just keep repeating the same things, and we can notice advancements and shifts and changes.
I’m just delighted that the Commons Library exists, that it has been so carefully curated over the years, and that it continues to be a free resource for activists all over the globe.
Daniel Hunter
Activist, Trainer, Strategist & Author
The Commons pays respects to the traditional owners of the land in which we operate and wherever this site is accessed. We recognise the central importance of struggles for Indigenous self-determination and justice within the broad project of creating a progressive future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why ‘the Commons’?
The name ‘the Commons’ references the common good, the shared property of all people. The Wikipedia entry on the commons states:
“The commons is the cultural and natural resources accessible to all members of a society, including natural materials such as air, water, and a habitable earth. These resources are held in common, not owned privately. Commons can also be understood as natural resources that groups of people (communities, user groups) manage for individual and collective benefit.”
We view the collective intelligence of people as part of the commons so we gather and share the best thinking of people involved in social change to support future action.
Guided by this concept the Commons:
- Is free of cost to use and does not operate for profit
- Is equitable, inclusive and accessible
- Aims to be beneficial to many
- Reflects inputs from many
- Has a culture that celebrates cooperation and collaboration
Please note that all additions of materials to the Commons Library have been made with good will, with the intention of appropriate acknowledgement and respect for licenses. If you have any concerns about the inclusion or presentation of materials on the Commons please contact us to discuss.
How do I use the Commons Library?
Learn all about using the library.
How can I republish or reference Commons resources?
At the bottom of each resource page you will see a box. This box includes information about the resource including author, organisation, referencing information and licensing. Pay attention to the licensing information.
Many resources in the Commons use Creative Commons licenses which require you to only use them for noncommercial purposes and ensure attribution.
Make sure when you are referencing a resource that you attribute it to the original author and source. We welcome you promoting the Commons Library but sharing a link to the Commons is unlikely to be the full reference information you need to include when republishing or quoting a resource.
How do I find out what’s new at the Commons?
- See What’s New
- Subscribe to our newsletter for updates
- Follow us on social media (click on the social media icons at the bottom of the webpage)
- Subscribe to our RSS feed
I am new to activism and campaigning. Where do I start?
There are lots of resources in the Commons library and we understand it can be quite overwhelming. We have created 2 resources to get you started.
1. New to Activism, Organising and Campaigning? Start Here!
2. How to Make a Difference: 5 Steps to be an Effective Change Maker – A short guide to get you started and support you on your social change journey.
What kind of social change resources do you have?
There are many ways to create social change. The Commons Library contains resources which reflect those many approaches, such as digital campaigning, community organising, nonviolent direct action and lobbying.
Publishing a resource on the Commons Library doesn’t mean the Librarians endorse a particular approach. However you choose to make change, we want you to have access to information that will help you be more effective.
If you see a gap in the Commons please contact the Librarians with your suggestions.
How can I get involved in the Commons Library?
We welcome your involvement! The first step is to subscribe to the Commons newsletter and follow us on social media. This will keep you up-to-date on new resources, projects and events.
You might like to write for the Commons. Please note that we only accept content with a social change focus. We do not accept promotional material or articles designed to increase traffic to other sites for commercial benefit. For guidance see Writing for the Commons Library and contact the Librarians.
If your organisation has several resources to add to the Commons we may be able to set up a collection. See the current collections listed on the Browse page. We appreciate financial contributions from organisations to help keep the Commons free and available for everyone.
Volunteering is a really valuable way to be involved with the Commons. Volunteers have curated resources, helped with events, done important site maintenance, and promoted resources in their communities and networks. We are also open to student placements in areas such as library and information management, communications, journalism and research.
If you’re interested in getting involved contact the Librarians. Please note that The Commons team operates remotely so you will need to have your own space and equipment.
Of course we would love it if you could make a donation or join the Commons Community by signing up for monthly giving. Explore more on our Get Involved page.
Who contributes resources to the Commons Library?
The Commons Library is made up of several collections contributed by capacity building and campaigning not-for-profit organisations. We also host materials contributed by hundreds of individuals engaged in social change.
If you are interested in contributing resources to the Commons Library contact a Librarian. Please note that we only accept content with a social change focus. We do not accept promotional material or articles designed to increase traffic to other sites for commercial benefit.
For guidance see Writing for the Commons Library.
Who runs the Commons Library?
The Commons Library is staffed by a nimble part-time team and governed by a board of experienced community leaders.
Volunteers are a crucial part of the Commons team. Find out more about what our volunteers do and how to join our volunteer team.
The website was developed by Glenn Todd from ActionSkills.
Who funds the Commons?
The Commons Library is a charitable organisation based in Australia. The Commons has Deductible Gift Recipient status in Australia, as well as the United States (through FJC) and the United Kingdom (through The Movements Trust). We operate with philanthropic support, grants, project partnerships and donations. See our Annual Reports for more details.
If you would like to support the Commons Library please make a donation or sign up as a monthly giver.
If you are a philanthropist interested in supporting the Commons, or an organisation with a potential partnership, please contact the Commons Librarians. We are happy to provide briefing sessions and discuss options for collaboration.
Do you have an Annual Report?
Yes we do!
What is the Common’s Privacy Policy?
The Commons Privacy Policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
Is the Commons accessible?
The Commons is committed to being accessible to the breadth of the Australian public and beyond. We aim to overcome barriers to access including those related to ability, education levels, language, income, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and any other oppression or systemic disadvantage. Read our Accessibility Statement.
If you have feedback, questions or require resources in a different format contact us via the contact form or email directly librarian(at)commonslibrary.org and we’ll do our best to assist.
As a community campaigner, the Commons Library has been a vital resource for my team and I. This is my first ‘proper’ organising role and I use the Commons frequently to help work through campaign strategy and take inspiration from social movements across the continent and around the world. The resources on theory of change and storytelling are ones that I regularly revisit to help ground my work. It’s an accessible library that offers clarity and hope, at a time when disinformation and xenophobia is rampant.
Sanaa Shah
Senior Community Campaigner, Sweltering Cities
