Established in 1993 as a Project of National Significance, the Centre is housed in the superbly restored Fremantle Prison Hospital. The building comprises five galleries, workshop, offices, archives and a fully self-contained, three bedroom apartment, as well as spacious grounds.

The Fremantle Children's Literature Centre aims to make literature more accessible in a rich, happy, stimulating environment and provide a focus for all those interested in children's literature, bringing together students, teachers, parents, authors, illustrators and specialists in the field.

Exhibitions of original manuscripts, preliminary drawings and original artwork show the collaborative process involved in creating children's and young adult picture books. Interactive workshops are run for students from pre primary to tertiary level and professional development seminars for teachers, librarians, writers and illustrators. There is a comprehensive authors and illustrators in residence programme for approximately 16 weeks annually.

The Centre has an ever-increasing rural, interstate and international residence programme wherein Centre staff and, whenever possible, authors and illustrators, undertake literature programmes in places as diverse as Bangkok, Christmas Island, Somerset, Qld, Adelaide, Kalgoorlie, Broome, Dalwallinu and remote Aboriginal communities.

In addition, the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre has regular Open Days, Book Launches, After School and Weekend Workshops, Evenings with Writers and Illustrators and Master Classes, thereby giving a wider section of the community the opportunity to experience the Centre.

The Centre also provides a home for the Fremantle Collection, ensuring the preservation of pre-publication manuscripts and enabling us to set up full exhibitions on our metropolitan, rural, interstate and international residences. Thirteen Exhibitions are available for this purpose. In the past year, the Centre has worked with approximately 32 000 young people in workshops varying in length from two to six hours. We receive approximately fifty percent of our expenditure from State and Federal Funding. The remainder is raised directly by the Centre, mainly through our fee for service.

The Fremantle Children's Literature Centre is immensely proud of its reputation for excellence, nurturing and cutting edge programmes. Visitors are most welcome. Director: Lesley Reece Senior Education Officer/Curator: Kylie Powell Education Officer/Curator: Jenny Doust Registrar: Mailee Clarke                         Administration Officer: Margarita Rodriguez    Curator (Part-time): Margaret Eaton Board Members:  Muriel Barwell, Peter Forrestal, Ron Gorman, Pat Johns, Deborah Lisson, Gavin Morris, David Axworthy, Lesley Reece, Yvonne Wilcox.