Book loans from public libraries rose by 22.5% in 2015

Data provided by the Central Public Libary show that in 2015, book acquisitions increased by 31.5% over the preceding year, reaching a total of 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, a 36.8% rise. This was mainly due to a 33.8% increase in adult membership and a 38% 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 increased to 777,804, a 22.5% rise from the preceding year. A share of 82.7% of the loans were recorded in Malta. While the Central Public Library in Floriana recorded a decrease of 5.5% 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% over the previous year from 561 to 503. On the other hand, the amount of printed books received increased by 8.2%, 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%. Meanwhile, the value of printed periodicals imported went up by 45.8% 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 4.4% decrease was registered on expenditure on books, 2.6% on newspapers and periodicals and 24.5% on other miscellaneous printed matter.