Library visits in the United States have almost halved over the past decade. But in Australia, they’re up 10% compared to a year ago, according to a new report. In fact, our public libraries are thriving – and cost of living pressures seem to be playing a role.
Public engagement with library programs and events has increased by one million. Loans of books, DVDs and other items are at their highest rate in five years, and overall loans are up 23%. On average, every person in Australia borrowed 6.5 library items in the year 2023-2024. While libraries increasingly provide online access and borrowing (32% of all loans are now digital), physical borrowing is still important.
But there’s bad news, too: adjusted for inflation, Australian library funding has decreased 12% in the past five years. And spending on library collections is similarly down, by 14%. Libraries are also hiring less trained librarians, and relying more on volunteer staffers.
