In 1995, the federation formed a strategic alliance with the U.K. Plunkett Foundation to act as the foundation's agent for the sale of co-operative publications in Australia and New Zealand. In 1997, the federation added co-operative publications from Lone Oak Press in America to its mail order catalogue.

From 1995 to 1999, the federation sold over 300 books to co-operatives around Australia and New Zealand, earning the federation over $16,000 during the period. Despite the success of book sales, the alliance with the Plunkett Foundation was discontinued after the federation's restructure in 1999.

Below is a list of publications that were promoted in the federation's mail order catalogue.

'Re-inventing Co-operation - the challenge of the 21st Century'
E. Parnell, Plunkett Foundation, UK 1999. 312pp. isbn 85042 136 5

In 1995, with the objective of dispelling many of the myths and misunderstandings that surround co-operatives the world over, the UK Plunkett Foundation published 'Re-inventing the co-operative - Enterprises for the 21st Century'. The book has since become a 'best seller', referred to by some as the co-operative director's bible.

Its author and past director of the Plunkett Foundation, Edgar Parnell, has produced a new and revised edition. The new edition, 'Re-inventing Co-operation - the challenge of the 21st Century', covers the essentials for understanding how to make co-operatives successful in today's world, but also has new and expanded chapters on the need to re-invent co-operation. Other areas include accounting and financing, making federalism work, the use of subsidiaries, and communication and education within co-operatives.

Co-operation Works!
E.G. Nadeau, David J. Thompson, Lone Oak Press, US 1996. 184pp. isbn 1 883477 13 1

Fifty case studies of new types of co-operatives from healthcare, agricultural, housing and credit highlight the limitless ways people are using co-operative action to rebuild community, revitalise their economies and secure their lives.

Make No Small Plans - A Co-operative Revival for Rural America
Lee Egerstrom, Lone Oak Press, 1994. 294 pp. isbn 1 883477 04 2

This book examines the rural sector of the North West States of the USA and recommends co-operatives to solve some of the problems brought about by changes to agriculture.

Seizing Control - The International Market Power of Co-operatives
Lee Egerstrom, Pieter Bos, Gert Van Dijk, Lone Oak Press, 1996. 186pp. isbn 1 883477 14 X

This book is a series of papers from co-operative experts in Europe and North America that offer strategies to assist agricultural co-operatives respond to change in global markets. The book is in four parts; Assessing change in the global food system and its impact on farmers, Assessing co-operative strength when approaching change, Perspectives of change and global market power, and Defining local farm and community interests in new, global markets.

Developing Directors of Co-operatives
Edgar Parnell, Plunkett Foundation, UK. 1993. 36pp. isbn 0 85042 160 8

This publication, financed by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, examines the importance of directors and gives advice on how they can be chosen to best effect.

Farmer Controlled Business - Bringing Balance to the Market Place
Edgar Parnell, Plunkett Foundation, 1992. 42pp.

This publication sets to clear away the many of the misconceptions that persist about farmer controlled businesses and explains not only why primary producers need to join forces, but how this can be done successfully.

Outside Non-Executive Directors -
Their role and functions in agricultural co-operatives and other farmer controlled businesses
Plunkett Foundation, 1993.

This booklet examines the increasingly significant role that non-executive directors are taking in the governance of agricultural co-operatives, and provides practical guidance for those who are contemplating the appointment of such directors.

Marketing for Co-ops - A Practical Guide
Gerry Finnegan, ICOM, 1985. 84pp. isbn 0 94677606 7

Examines marketing in the context the business and social objectives of worker co-operatives. In a clear and simple way, it shows co-ops how to define their market and how to devise an effective marketing strategy.

Co-op - The Peoples Business
Johnston Birchall, Manchester University Press, 1994. 200pp. isbn 0 7190 3861 8

This book was written as a celebration of the 150 year old co-operative movement in Britain. It tells of the spread of co-operation across the world, its adaptability to meet a variety of human needs, and how it is continuing to transform the lives of people in the third world and Eastern Europe.

Farmer Centred Enterprise for Agricultural Development
Trevor Bottomly, Plunkett Development Series No 9, 1989. 170pp. isbn 0 85042 092 X

The author argues that it is farmer-centred enterprises which leads to sound rural development, and that co-operatives remain the most suitable agencies for providing essential services to small primary producers. An excellent practical working manual which will help both existing and new co-operatives get on the right track for the right reason.

The Co-operative Opportunity
UKCC, 1994. 230pp. ibsn 0 85195 216 X

The comprehensive work of its kind to be published for many years. The Co-operative Opportunity takes a fresh look at co-operation, both in the UK and internationally, with facts and figures that will ensure it an important place in business or academic libraries. It is essential reading for policy makers and professional business advisers - in fact, anyone who is seeking better alternatives to conventional, investor driven business structures or who would like more control over the economic aspects of their lives.

Co-operative Principles - Today and Tomorrow
W.P Watkins, Holyoake Books, 1986. 184pp. isbn 0 85195 140 6

A penetrating and pro-active study of the co-operative principles that affect the lives of over 500 million people all over the world - analysing their present and future application. Clearly and incisively written, this is far from being a philosophical work of a dry and abstract nature, but is enriched with many practical examples from a wide range of experience including consumer, worker, agricultural, housing, and credit co-operatives.

Strategic Management of Self Help Organisations
Joshen Ropke, Marburg Consult, 1992. 80pp. ibsn 3927489 09 3