Oscar Parry
The past financial year marked an upturn in the amount of loans, visits, and program attendance at Macedon Ranges libraries after a COVID-related decline.
According to statistics provided by Goldfields Libraries, loans (including the whole collection of library materials) in Macedon Ranges were at a low point in the 2020–21 financial year due to COVID and lockdown-related factors.
Gradually rising since, the amount of approximate loans for the 2023–24 period rose to 237,000, which is higher than the 2019–20 amount of 220,000 and not far off the 2018–19 amount of 310,000.
The statistics show library visits have also greatly increased.
Goldfields Libraries engagement and operations manager Jess Saunders said the notable increase in loans and library program attendance relates to the rising costs of living.
“In all aspects, usage is increasing steadily, and program attendance is more than pre-COVID levels, including children and families coming to storytime,” Ms Saunders said.
Ms Saunders said Goldfields Libraries’ seasonal reading programs, such as Big Summer Read and the current Warm Winter Read have received high levels of enrolments this year, possibly due to them being a low-cost form of entertainment in the midst of cost of living pressures.
Ms Saunders said libraries are evolving and offer a wide range of services, many of which may also be attracting visits related to financial hardship.
“We meet people where they are, and try and offer what they need – this may be physical or e-collections, but it could also be social connection, high-speed Wi-Fi, research help, public computers and printing, early years literacy support, art exhibitions, author talks, writing workshops and so much more,” she said.
“Libraries are warm in winter, cool in summer, and offer respite from heating and cooling bills at home, as well as an antidote to social isolation so often experienced, particularly post-COVID.”
Macedon Ranges libraries also record the highest turnover rate of all digital items – a category that includes e-books, audiobooks, and films.
Gisborne Library manager Sarah Shaw said that she felt that the Gisborne Library has been busier than ever this winter, and potentially even busier than pre-COVID levels.
She said that a subcommunity on social media app TikTok, called ‘BookTok’ has helped in driving teenagers and young adults to loan books from local libraries.
