More borrowing at Fraser Coast Libraries in 2021
Library assistant Tracey Hawkins with an armful of recently released DVDs and books available for borrowing from Fraser Coast Libraries.
Borrowing has increased by 25% at Fraser Coast Libraries during 2021 as more users join up and take advantage of the free services.
Councillor David Lewis said it was brilliant to see that in the past year membership had increased to more than 41,000 and the number of loans and renewals had risen by a quarter to almost 700,000.
“It’s such a wonderful service and it’s really heartening to see so many people taking advantage of it,” he said.
“As well as books, libraries offer toys, DVDs, magazines, CDs and jigsaw puzzles for borrowing.
“On top of that, libraries have free wifi and desktop computers for use; a contactless delivery service for people who are housebound along with eBooks and eAudiobooks for borrowing online.”
The popularity of eAudiobooks grew in 2021 with loans and reservations jumping 16.3% to more than 55,800 while more than 64,600 eBook loans and reservations were made last year – a 2.5% increase on the previous year.
“People can join online and start borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks for free within one-and-a-half hours,” Cr Lewis said.
He said the first full year of the new Fraser Coast Libraries app had also been a success with the service being loaded onto more than 1300 devices and used almost 18,000 times in 2021.
“Some of the most popular uses of the app included searching for and reserving items; accessing eBooks and eAudiobooks; checking loans and reservations; and borrowing items using devices,” Cr Lewis said.
“Another well-used library service is the popular new release books and movies, available for the shorter borrowing period of one week, called Quick Reads and Quick Flicks.
“They allow more people to read the latest novels and watch new-release films more quickly.
“The top 10 most borrowed items in these capsule collections reveal that readers and film watchers favour crime, mystery and thriller stories, along with a sprinkling of family drama, Australian tales and comedies.”
Top 10 Quick Reads of 2021
- The Sentinel by Lee and Andrew Child
- Deadly Cross by James Patterson
- Turn a Blind Eye by Jeffrey Archer
- The Coffinmaker’s Garden by Stuart MacBride
- A Valley Dream by Anna Jacobs
- Trick of the Light by Fiona McCallum
- The Russian by James Patterson and James O. Born
- Win by Harland Coben
- Judas Horse by Lynda La Plante
- Daylight by David Baldacci
Top 10 Quick Flicks of 2021
- Rams
- Honest Thief
- An Imperfect Murder
- Wonder Woman 1984
- Unhinged
- Wrath of Man
- Made in Italy
- Irresistible
- Fatman
- Never Too Late
Fraser Coast Libraries receives financial assistance from the Queensland Government through the State Library of Queensland.