Ipswich in Summer 2019-2020

RE-INVENTED LIBRARIES SEEING SURGE IN POPULARITY

Suddenly, or so it would seem, libraries are the “in” place to be. Young families are making their way into the aisles of information, but not all of them into the pages of books. Ipswich City Council Libraries has seen a jump in active members over the past 12 months, to more than 50,000, and technology – robots, virtual reality, digital displays and games – is playing a big role in the “reader” revolution. That’s a 41 per cent increase on the previous year. Springfield Library turned one in recent months, and is credited as one of the reasons for a massive spike in membership in this region. Redbank Plains or Springfield Lakes residents are visiting in droves, accounting for 20 per cent of overall visitors. Goodna, Brassall, Springfield, Bellbird Park, Raceview, Collingwood Park, Augustine Heights and Camira

all have the night light on over a good book, each with more than 1,000 active borrowers. More than 60 per cent of library-goers are female. And about 60 per cent are aged less than 40. What’s old is seemingly new again, and the library crew says it’s no fluke. Rather, it’s entirely by design. “We passed the 50,000 milestone in August, and we’re seeing an increase in membership across the city – not just at our newest library at Springfield,” Library Business Services Manager Matt Pascoe said. “We’ve made it easier for people to sign up with a beautiful new website, there are more self-service options, and we’ve compiled an award-winning ‘marketplace’ bookshop-styled collection project.” Subscribe free to Ipswich First news alerts at Ipswichfirst.com.au/subscribe/

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