Positive Story Time For City's Libraries

Newcastle Herald

Saturday November 1, 2008

By JACQUI JONES

BE it to borrow a book, take part in story time or read the paper, Novocastrians love their libraries.

So much so that the city system is the busiest in the state and Wallsend is the most popular of the local government area's branches.

Newcastle City Council acting library and cultural development manager Michael Newsome said the trend was reflected in recent figures that compared libraries in NSW.

About 1.8 million books a year are lent through Newcastle's library system with about one-third of those, or 618,000 items, borrowed from Wallsend.

About 880,000 attendances a year are recorded at branches, with about 280,000 (30 per cent) of those visits to Wallsend.

Mr Newsome said the high turnover was a reflection of good community support.

"The public love our libraries," he said.

"I think it's the range of materials we offer.

"Obviously they're free."

Books, CDs and DVDs are available for loan, services at the branches include internet access, story time, and a baby book program and functions and exhibitions are staged at Wallsend and Cooks Hill.

"Libraries are one of the only places where people can go without other affiliations," Mr Newsome said.

"People come in just to read the paper.

"It's a community place."

Mr Newsome said Wallsend library was popular because the area and nearby new suburbs such as Fletcher were growing.

The branch opened in May 2006 to cater to the demand.

A city of readers

Editorial, Page 18

WHAT THEYRE BORROWING

Newcastle Region Librarys most popular books and CDs

BOOKS

Stephenie Meyer - The Twilight series

PD James - The Private Patient

Patricia Cornwell - Scarpetta

Christopher Paolini - Brisingr

Nora Roberts - Tribute

CDs

AC/DC - Black Ice

Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night

Pink - Funhouse

Miley Cyrus - Breakout

Gabriella Cilmi - Lessons To Be Learned

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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