Ashburton Library is cresting a wave of increasing library membership and use, along with other modern libraries around the country.

Te Kete Tuhinga Ashburton Library had almost 10,400 adult and junior members at the end of February this year and they are among 1.4 million active members of libraries nationally.

Figures just released by Public Libraries New Zealand show that in 2023-24 there were 28.6 million physical visits to libraries and 30.2 million virtual visits, and 48.4 million items borrowed. Libraries also delivered over 83,000 programmes including digital literacy classes, author talks, story time sessions and more, attended by over 1.5 million people.

Group Manager of People and Facilities Sarah Mosley said Ashburton Library’s figures reflected a jump in borrowing and use.

“Some of that can be attributed to moving into Te Whare Whakatere, which is an amazing and welcoming community space. Like other libraries, we’ve also removed economic barriers and our library is fines free, offers free internet access and helps people of all ages grow their digital skills.

“Right now we have two digi-coaches in the library, available to help people with their technology problems, and that’s on top of a whole host of regular programmes like Wriggle and Read, the knitting group, the lego group and book club.”

During January and February, almost 900 people took part in 167 different activities and programme sessions run at the library. The total number of activity and programme sessions from July 2024 to the end of February is about 950, compared to 350 in the previous year.

Ms Mosley said the library also provided services for those elderly and housebound, and supported rural libraries.

“Modern libraries are hubs for their communities, and that is no different in here in Ashburton. We have an important and growing role in supporting access to information and technology, and helping develop literacy skills.”

Library visitor numbers are now tracked as part of total visitor numbers to Te Whare Whakatere and these have risen dramatically since the new building opened in January 2024.

From July 2024 to the end of February, nearly 140,000 people had visited, compared to just under 90,000 for the same period in 2023-24.

Issues are up correspondingly,175,000 for the period July 2024 to the end of February, compared to 140,000 for the same period the previous year.