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Libraries Building Communities Report Released

The State Library of Victoria and the Victorian public library network today released a major report which looks at the role of public libraries in our community.

‘Libraries Building Communities’ is the result of two years' extensive research that surveyed all 238 public library branches in Victoria and drew on a sample of nearly 10,000 Victorians. 

The study revealed that around six in ten Victorians are current public library users; that each public library lends about 500 items every day; that they receive nearly 270 visits from a total of 2.5 million registered users and respond to nearly 30 reference inquiries.  

It also showed that public libraries are about much more than books. The breadth of their role, user range and diversity, and potential impact on the whole community is unlike any other agency in society - libraries ensure that people have better social networks, are more tolerant about differences, more computer literate, and better educated and informed.   

'Libraries Building Communities' was launched by the Minister for Local Government Candy Broad MP and performer Jane Clifton at the Footscray Library.  

For more information and to print off a copy of report see the 'Libraries Building Communities' page. Boxed copies of the report can also be purchased from our online shop.