How do Australians engage and interact with public libraries? And what are the latest borrowing and programming trends across the sector?
Explore some key findings from the latest Public Library Statistical Report – produced annually by ALIA and National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA).
Australians value their libraries
Australians are making good use of their public libraries with almost 150 million books, ebooks, audiobooks and other resources borrowed across 2021-2022. The report showed average Australian is borrowing 6 books a year, and physical and digital library visits combined increased by 35% in 2022-23 from the previous reporting period.
Digital library use is on the rise
Electronic and digital collections usage rose significantly in the current reporting period, making up an increasingly large proportion of total borrowing. Digital collections have increased from around 15% of total collection holdings in 2018-19, to 23% in 2022-23, and lending figures of digital collection items have doubled over the same period. That’s really fast growth, and correlates with the appetite we’re seeing across the market for digital book formats such as audiobooks.
Library programming has bounced back
Library programs increased from 259,000 in 2021-22 during the pandemic lockdowns across many states, to 354,000 in 2022-23, attracting over 6.1 million attendees.
The below table shows national programming broken down by target audience, with early childhood representing the highest number of programs, while young adult representing the lowest.
Literacy and lifelong learning remain strong focus
Similarly to 2021-22, programs whose primary purpose relates to literacy and/or educational learning were both the most-run and best-attended programs across Australian libraries, making up almost half of all programming sessions. This includes programs such as storytime, English conversation, homework help, reading-related programs, programs supporting development of learning habits and skills.
Programs relating to economic and workforce development and personal development were also popular across Australian libraries, and library facilitated book clubs also saw an increase from the previous reporting period.
In order to get a picture of the current work being done in libraries to boost reading engagement, it would be interesting to understand the numbers of programs that focus on reading for pleasure programs in addition to those that support skills and training. At present, that level of data is not available in the report.
Libraries continue to struggle with funding to meet demand
While overall funding for public library services increased by 3.7% from 2021-22 to 2022-23, when indexed against inflation to 2023, per capita spending has decreased. Adjusted for inflation, this represents a 20% funding decrease.
As the report states: “That public libraries have still managed to expand physical and digital collections, program offerings, Wi-Fi access, local history collections, bookable meetings rooms, and have seen physical and digital visitation and borrowing figures increase significantly despite decreases shows the innovation of public libraries, however with increasing usage and community reliance on public library services, further real decreases in funding may result in decreased services for the community.”
Libraries remain crucial revenue streams for authors and publishers
The Public Library Statistical Report and its findings come just after announcements about Lending Rights payments to authors and publishers, which for the first time reflect digital books. Lending Rights policy this year meant that $26.64 million were distributed to creators and publishers, and increase of $3.38 million from 2022-23.