22.5% increase in book loans from public libraries – NSO

In 2015, book loans from public libraries have increased to 777,804, a 22.5 per cent rise from the preceding year, the NSO said.

Statistics on Libraries: 2015

Data provided by the Central Public Library show that in 2015, book acquisitions increased by 31.5 per cent over the preceding year reaching 39,337. Almost two in three of these book acquisitions were given as a donation.

Year-on-year, the number of new members increased by 1,682 persons or 36.8 per cent. This rise was mainly due to a 33.8 per cent increase in adult membership and a 38.0 per cent increase in junior membership aged 0 to 13 years. An increase was also registered in both adult and junior foreign visitors.

In 2015, book loans have increased to 777,804, a 22.5 per cent rise from the preceding year. A share of 82.7 per cent of the loans were recorded in Malta. While the Central Public Library in Floriana recorded a decrease of 5.5 per cent in book loans, regional and branch libraries across the country registered substantial increases in book loans. In Gozo, the Nadur branch library maintained the highest amount of loans registered in this region, exceeding Victoria by 25,873 loans.

Periodicals received at the National Library of Malta under legal deposit decreased by 10.3 per cent over the previous year from 561 to 503. On the other hand, the amount of printed books received increased by 8.2 per cent, from 402 to 435.

Trade figures show that €17.2 million worth of printed books and periodicals were imported in 2015. The total value of printed books imported declined by 1.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the value of printed periodicals imported went up by 45.8 per cent when compared to the previous year. The total value of exports increased to €7.9 million.

During 2015, private final consumption of printed materials went down when compared to the previous year. A decrease was registered on expenditure on books (4.4 per cent), newspapers and periodicals (2.6 per cent) and on other miscellaneous printed matter (24.5 per cent).

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