Australians are borrowing six books a year from their public library on average and are more likely to be borrowing an ebook or audiobook than they were pre-pandemic, according to the latest Public Library Statistical Report, released this week.
The national report—produced annually by ALIA and National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA)—tells the story of community reengagement with the physical spaces and collections of public libraries, combined with continued growth in digital engagement and collections.
Key figures from 2022-2023 include:
- access to public library services was provided through 1,714 service points, including 1,412 branches, 76 mobile libraries serving hundreds of locations, and 226 other outlets (including self-serve kiosks, library depots and collection vending machines)
- total usage of public library collections was over 159 million instances, comprised of 113 million physical item loans and 46 million loans, downloads and retrievals from electronic collections (average of six loans per Australian)
- electronic and digital collections usage rose significantly, far surpassing pre-COVID levels and making up an increasingly large proportion of total borrowing
- in-person library visits increased by 40% and online visit by 27% since the lifting of the COVID-19
restrictions up to June 2023 - increasing from 259,000 library programs in 2021-22 to 354,000 in 2022-23, library programs attracted over 6.1 million attendees, up from 3.5 million in the previous reporting period.
- 1,918 bookable rooms and meeting spaces were used for over 646,000 hours, an increase of 25% on the previous reportion period.
You can access the full report via Trove.
ALIA Media release Australians are borrowing six books a year as public libraries see strong growth post-pandemic – ALIA