There has been an “alarming” decline in library book loans across Hobsons Bay, while electronic borrowing has doubled.
Hobsons Bay council is working to reverse the sharp decline in books borrowed from its five library branches, with the number of physical items loaned dropping by more than 101,000 in the past financial year.
Cr Angela Altair last week said the decline was “alarming” and asked council officers what it planned to do to reverse the trend.
The council heard that a “collection development policy” would be fast-tracked to ensure there was sufficient new material, and that it was of interest to the community.
Visitor numbers across Hobsons Bay’s libraries rose from 99,007 in 2013-14 to 104,522 in 2014-15.
But in the same period, loans of actual books and other physical items fell from 769,005 to 667,315.
At the same time, electronic loans of items, such as eBooks, rose from 9456 to 17,063.
Bookless library shelved
Despite the decline in books being borrowed, there was a community outcry when the council last year proposed a ‘bookless library’ for Newport.
The council spent more than $8million redeveloping Williamstown library and has contracted to spend more than $7million building Newport’s new library which will include a youth and seniors centre.
Mayor Colleen Gates said Hobsons Bay was not immune to a worldwide trend away from borrowing hardcopy material, but libraries remained great community meeting places.
“We also have a number of customers who only interact with us online from home, or who come in daily to use a computer or read the paper.”
