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Thursday, July 9, 2015

Public Libraries (Australia)

Free Public Libraries Are Thriving in the Digital Age

Nicholas Adams-Dzierzba | June 30, 2015


Libraries are changing. The bookshelves are gone, resources are stored off-site and machines retrieve your request. You scan your own books at the checkout, and if you want to "ask a librarian" it's an online form or phone call.
Yet the latest figures from the State Library of New South Wales suggest that libraries are thriving, with 35 million visits in 2013-14 and 45 million loans recorded.
The State Library of New South Wales, Australia. Source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/12353/8-lovely-libraries-australia-and-new-zealand
Dr Alex Byrne, head librarian and chief executive of the State Library attributes this to innovation: adapting to digital times, providing free Wi-Fi, making services available remotely and hosting a variety of programmes and quirky events.

<more at http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/free-public-libraries-are-thriving-in-the-digital-age-20150703-gi16cc.html>

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