Brisbane bookworms have shown their love for libraries in 2023, borrowing more than eight million items and attending over 12,000 events across Council’s 33 venues.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that libraries offer so much more than books to Brisbane residents and visitors.
“By the end of the year we are on track to hit over five million visits to our libraries, which goes to show just how much our residents value these spaces,” Cr Schrinner said.
“As cost of living pressures continue, libraries are the perfect place to cool off and enjoy fantastic free facilities.
“Libraries are a place to borrow books and read, while offering visitors a chance to access the internet, computers, listen to music, stream movies and documentaries, trace local history and so much more.
“Our libraries are at the heart of our suburbs and bring learning to life with thousands of free events taking place all year round for those of all ages.
“We know that residents love our free library programs, with more than 340,000 people attending an event or workshop over the last year.
“We’ve also seen more people using our libraries to work and study, with almost one million free library wi-fi sessions recorded in 2023.
“Our investment in these important public spaces continued in 2023, with the opening of the Zillmere Library refurbishment that brought a new children’s reading area and bush tucker garden to northside residents.
“The state-of-the-art Everton Park library is also on track to open next year, with an undercover carpark, multipurpose meeting rooms, a new children’s space and computer lounge for residents to enjoy.”
Cr Schrinner said that even more exciting library additions are on the horizon for residents in 2024 and beyond.
“This year, we installed the first of our new 24/7 library lockers at Carina, Holland Park and New Farm to make the borrowing process even easier,” he said.
“Residents in Bracken Ridge, Grange and Mitchelton will see their library lockers rolling out in coming months.
“Since their installation in June, more than 2,500 items have been able to be picked up around the clock to cater to the busy schedules of readers. “
From royals to personal reflection, self-improvement novels and celebrity memoirs topped the list of most in demand books for Brisbane readers.
“The royals were the talk of the town this year with Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex being in hot demand at our libraries,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Australian authors like Jane Harper and Trent Dalton continued to be popular with readers in 2023.
“I invite residents to make this the summer of stories and get down to visit your local library.
“It’s free to join and with great holiday activities, including summer reading challenges on offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
For more details on local libraries and the summer reading program, visit https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries
TOP 5 BOOKS BORROWED ACROSS CATEGORIES AT COUNCIL LIBRARIES IN 2023
FICTION:
- Exiles by Jane Harper
- Desert Star by Michael Connelly
- No Plan B by Lee Child
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
NON-FICTION:
- Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
- Love Stories by Trent Dalton
- Atomic habits: Tiny changes, remarkable results: an easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones by James Clear
- Atlas of the Heart: Mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience by Brené Brown
- Dinner by Nagi Maehashi
AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR TITLES:
- Exiles by Jane Harper
- The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
- The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan
- Horse by Geraldine Brooks
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
- Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy kid series)
- The 156-storey treehouse by Andy Griffiths (Treehouse series)
- The Legend of the Maze by Thea Stilton
- Cat Kid Comic Club. On purpose by Dav Pilkey
- Cheesy weird! by Anh Do (Anh Do Weirdo series)
YOUNG ADULT TITLES:
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Summer I turned pretty series)
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (good girl’s guide to murder series)
- One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (Bayview High series)
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Grisha trilogy series)
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games series)
