THE MOST borrowed items from Fraser Coast Libraries in 2024 show our members’ love for Bluey, conspiracy, crime, and home renovations.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the most popular items also included murder mysteries, Barbie the Movie, and the Guinness World Records, reflecting the diverse interests of library members.
“Our libraries are more than just books, they are vibrant community hubs,” he said.
“Fraser Coast Libraries provide a world of opportunities from reading, borrowing seeds and toys to getting creative with 3D printing, attending education talks and film screenings, or joining chess and scrabble days.
“Library membership has rebounded to pre-COVID levels, with nearly 5,000 new members joining in 2024.
“It’s fantastic to see a steady increase in membership, with people borrowing not just books but also DVDs, eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, and toys.”
Cr Seymour said Fraser Coast Libraries added more than 15,000 new items and ran 1,861 library programs with over 77,000 participants in 2024.
“Thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteers we launched five seed libraries across the region and celebrated the reopening of the Hervey Bay and Howard libraries following renovations,” he said.
Cr Seymour acknowledged the incredible contribution of the 143 library volunteers, who donated over 5,000 hours to assist staff and library members.
“Technology also played a key role, with 455,789 hours of WiFi used, over 18,000 hours of public PC access, and a 93% customer satisfaction rating,” he said.
“Our library services are free and offer a welcoming space for people of all ages to discover, learn, and grow.
“We’re excited to build on this success and look forward to an even bigger and better 2025!”
Fraser Coast libraries receive financial assistance from the Queensland Government through the State Library of Queensland.
For more information about Fraser Coast Libraries, go to https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/libraries or call into one of the branches in Burrum Heads, Hervey Bay, Howard, Maryborough and Tiaro.
In 2024, Fraser Coast Libraries recorded:
- 735,882 loans and renewals;
- Over 170,000 e-resource loans;
- Nearly 210,000 collection items processed.
