Thousands of items returned to Townsville CityLibraries
Date published: 15 June 2020
Almost 30,000 items have been returned to libraries across Townsville as COVID-19 restrictions ease across the state.
The huge number in returns comes following the decision to open CityLibraries Townsville by appointment only on May 16. Since then, more than 4500 bookings have been made across the Aitkenvale, Thuringowa and Flinders St libraries.
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson, Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney, said the numbers were proof that libraries are a much-loved service in Townsville.
“Before the State Government’s COVID-19 restrictions came into play in March we allowed visitors to borrow up to 80 items each to tide them over during the lockdown period,” Cr Greaney said.
“Thousands of books, DVDs, CDs and magazines were borrowed, and now they’re starting to circulate back to our libraries for more people to enjoy.”
Cr Greaney said CityLibraries Townsville was continuing to operate on a booking system.
“We are allowing 20 people into the library at any one time to make sure that our visitors are able to maintain safe physical distancing,” she said.
“Booking a library visit is easy, just head to the Council website, select your preferred branch and select the time you would like to visit. Before you visit, make sure that you don’t have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory infection and that you haven’t bee in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.”
Items returned to CityLibraries Townsville up to 11 June
- Aitkenvale – 13,172
- Thuringowa – 11,677
- Flinders St – 4344
Borrowing sessions booked at CityLibraries Townsville up to 11 June
- Aitkenvale – 1700
- Flinders – 1279
- Thuringowa – 1817
Borrowbox user stats – 27 May to 11 June
BorrowBox is a platform used by CityLibraries Townsville to deliver eBooks and eAudiobooks.
eAudiobooks
- 9861 Users
- 479 New Users
- 1718 Active Users in eAudiobooks
- 15226 Loans
- 6720 Reserves/Renewals
- 1.5 Average Loans per User
eBooks
- 9861 Users
- 479 New Users
- 1746 Active Users in eBooks
- 16426 Loans
- 6782 Reserves/Renewals
- 1.7 Average Loans per User
