This paper is an author-edited transcript of a presentation to the ALIA Public Libraries Summit, Canberra, July 2009. The author starts off by talking about what people know about children, early reading and a literate Australia. He then discusses three main reasons why public libraries have had success in children's literacy and related programs, as well as several early childhood literacy programs that have been making a difference in Australia. From a Public Libraries Australia point of view, he says the keys to greater success for libraries in purposefully engaging in community early literacy development are: (1) national collaboration; (2) partnerships with people outside the sector; and (3) reliable consistent funding. To do this librarians need to be able to engage with potential partners and funders on their terms, using their language, and identifying the compelling reasons why partnering with public libraries makes such sense.