Reading, listening, enjoying: More guests in Saxony-Anhalt libraries | EUROtoday

The variety of guests within the libraries in Saxony-Anhalt rises. Last 12 months, over 1.78 million after about 1.59 in 2023 and virtually 1.46 within the earlier 12 months, because the State Administration Office in Halle introduced on request. People additionally borrow extra media – from the guide to the digital product. The variety of borrowing elevated from virtually 4.85 million in 2022 to five.12 million. There had been 156,400 youngsters’s media (2022: 127,420). Nationwide there are a superb 140 libraries from full -time staff to volunteers.

The driving libraries proceed to play a serious position. There are 4 of them within the nation: in Halle and Magdeburg in addition to within the Altmark, operated by the Salzwedel and Osterburg metropolis and district libraries. Together they introduced it to a superb 259,700 borrowings final 12 months, within the earlier 12 months there have been virtually 233,200, in 2022 round 238,200.

Attractiveness is and falls with the present provide

“The attractiveness of libraries is and falls with a current offer,” mentioned the pinnacle of the Library Association of Saxony-Anhalt, Cornelia Poenicke. Current youngsters’s literature, non -fiction books for younger and outdated and bestsellers had been included. But additionally the whole lot that the goal teams are focused on: The hit within the Magdeburg City Library, which leads Poenicke, are tonie figures with which youngsters can hear songs and tales about particular units. Two showcases had been bought for the figures – however they’re typically empty due to the good demand.

Book costs rise – it may be bought much less

However, the variety of new acquisitions within the libraries in Saxony-Anhalt has just lately dropped. If over 165,500 media had been bought in 2022, there have been round 151,100 final 12 months. From Cornelia Poenicke’s standpoint, the worth will increase are mirrored. In the previous 4 to five years, books have change into round 20 % costlier. There isn’t any more cash accessible to libraries, in response to the chief of the affiliation. Almost all homes felt how shut the coffers of the municipalities are. The nation didn’t enhance its funding both.

Early begin within the libraries necessary

Children and households are among the many foremost goal teams for the libraries, emphasised Cornelia Poenicke. The purpose is that youngsters study to learn properly and are competent in coping with the media. You ought to mix optimistic issues with books and libraries. The hope is that as an grownup, they are going to return with their youngsters later. Sometimes small adjustment screws are sufficient: library use has been free in Magdeburg for all as much as 18 years in Magdeburg. According to Cornelia Poenicke, the impact is noticeable, and younger individuals registered once more. Before that, that solely value 5 euros a 12 months. “The hurdle was obviously so high.”

But is not that each one on the Internet?

After the worth will increase in recent times, nevertheless, many different customers had turned to the libraries: borrowing is then extra prone to be purchased. And what is especially in demand? It will not be the crime novels or present fiction, however non -fiction literature. Travel, well being, historical past, society, legislation, do-it-yourself from cooking, baking, knitting to brewing beer, gardening to tinkering. But is not that each one on the Internet? Yes, however not within the labeled and structured kind, as books ship, says Cornelia Poenicke. The Internet typically serves the primary data, however individuals nonetheless belief the curated kind.

Many customers additionally depend on the purely digital over the on -loan. That was about 14,700 individuals, because the statistics confirmed final 12 months, and in 2023 there have been virtually 14,100. They had been ready to select from a list of round 112,700 digital media, from e-book to audio books, e-learning provides to digital magazines, newspapers and movies. The variety of borrowing was virtually 620,200 after about 564,700 a 12 months earlier.

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