South Australian bookworms fuelling record interest in public libraries

The humble South Australian library is enjoying a renaissance as ravenous readers fuel a digital reading revolution with record interest in the state’s public system, official figures reveal.

Elyse, 7 and Caleb, 6 at the Parks Library in Angle Park. Picture: Matt Loxton

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Bookworms are fuelling a digital reading revolution amid record interest in the state’s public library system, official figures show.

State Government data shows more than 5,000 people a month are joining their local library which are offering increasingly diverse, and free, items and events despite shrinking budgets.

Officials say while our libraries have never been more popular, electronic borrowings are also surging, fuelled by users’ changing reading and viewing habits.

The pioneering “OneCard Network” — Australia’s biggest — allows customers access to more than 3.7 million items at 130 public libraries using just one membership.

''Ashley the Dragon Fairy'' by Daisy Meadows is among the most borrowed.

Weirdo by Anh Do is popular in SA. Picture: Supplied

New figures from Public Library Services, which supports council-operated libraries, show almost a million ebooks and digital audiobooks were borrowed over the past financial year — an increase of almost a fifth in 12 months.

Almost 64,000 new members have joined their local library this year.

Separate figures show 542,000 South Australians hold a library membership, meaning almost one in three people is a member — compared to almost 551,500 in 2016/17.

This number has deflated as memberships are consolidated despite the overall upward trend.

Acting PLS associate director, Veronica Mathews, said users can borrow up to 100 items on one card, meaning multiple memberships are becoming redundant especially with families.

“The public library is well and truly alive,” she said.

“Digital is playing an increasingly important role as it complements print collections and provides opportunities for new users to benefit from the library service.”

At least 47,000 users have downloaded a new App in less than a year while almost one in 10 users are now a “digital member” compared to just one per cent two years ago.

Demand is set to increase by another third this year.

Author Andy Griffiths is a particular favourite. Picture: Stuart McEvoy/The Australian

More than 13.1 million physical items was leant by our public network while library visits is at record levels, the figures show.

Library programs on offer include baby and schoolchildren events, author visits and senior online classes.

Several public libraries have either recently been rebuilt or upgraded including Mitcham, Prospect, The Parks, Gawler and Aldinga.

Councils and the State Government will next year review library budgets.

Northern Lights author Philip Pullman. Picture: MJ Kim/Getty Images

The Libraries Board, which oversees the PLS system, currently spends 13 per cent of its collection budget on electronic items such as ebooks, digital magazines and online training courses — with spending increasing to 18 per cent from July.

In 2011 just five per cent of library budgets was used to source digital content.

Ms Mathews said a new focus was growing digital collections to “meet community demand” as more users visit libraries.

“The digital age is well and truly upon us and libraries are doing their bit to provide. services,” she said.

“Libraries are sourcing quality digital content and making it available to everyone for free.”

Siblings Elyse, seven, and her three year-old sister Aurora love using Port Adelaide Enfield Council’s Parks Library with six year-old friend Caleb.

Elyse said she “loved playing games, borrowing toys and reading” when her family visit the facility every week since it opened in October.

Jack Reacher author Lee Child...

...Whose book the Midnight Line is among the most popular novels in South Australia. it has been borrowed more than 3000 times.

MOST POPULAR AUTHORS **

■ The Midnight Line by Lee Child has been borrowed more than 3000 times

■ Books by James Patterson have been borrowed nearly 70,000 times

■ Daisy Meadows*** is the most popular children’s author. Her books have been borrowed nearly 25,000 times.

James Patterson visits a books store in Sydney. he is a favourite author among SA bookworms, who have borrowed his books more than 70,000 times. Picture: Britta Campion

WHAT’S HOT

Adults

■ Nine Perfect Strangers –
Liane Moriarty

■ Past Tense – Lee Child

■ Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You’ll Ever Need – Scott Pape

■ The Lost Man – Jane Harper

■ Bridge of Clay – Markus Zusak

Australian author Liane Moriarty, at Balmoral Beach. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Jane Harper is another popular Australian author

Teens

■ The Fault In Our Stars –
John Green

■ The Book Of Dust –
Phillip Pullman

■ The Maze Runner –
James Dashner

SA teens love John Green’s books.

As do they writer James Dashner, pictured in San Diego, California. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Children

■ Treehouse series – Andy Griffiths

■ Diary of a Wimpy Kid series –   Jeff Kinney

■ WeirDo series – Anh Do

Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney, with the anithero of his books Greg, who kids love. Picture: Filip Wolak

Anh Do’s series of books are hugely popular with kids. Picture Craig Greenhill

* As of February

** over past 12 months

*** a group of authors write under this pseudonym

Source: Public Library Services

Author Scott Pape speaks during the launch of his book "Barefoot Investor for Families" at the State Library in Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Taylor/ AAP