annual report - City of Bayswater

Libraries
Growth in the use of the City’s
three libraries over 2008-09
highlighted the importance the
community places on services
provided by local government
during periods of uncertainty.
The City’s libraries recorded a
4.3 percent increase in items
loaned; a 4.6 percent increase in
patron visits; and an impressive
20 percent increase in attendances
to events and activity sessions.
Most noteworthy was an
11.6 percent increase in the
number of new members enrolled
during 2008-09.
Our libraries have improved
and expanded virtual and
onsite services, including
the implementation of a new
computerised public PC
reservation system. Online services
were reviewed in 2008-09 resulting
in a plan for further free online
databases and other services.
Programs such as the Adult
Activities Sessions, Better
Beginning/Early Years, Story Time
and Rhyme Time continue to grow
in popularity. During 2008-09
Library Services hosted visits from
internationally renowned authors
Michael Robotham and Matthew
Reilly. The latter attracted an
audience of more than 150.
A popular new program called
Full of Beanz was introduced for
pre-schools and uses literature
and movement to assist in the
development of the fine motor skills.
The City’s libraries also continue to
run the State Government funded
Finding My Place program for year
10 students at risk of dropping out
of formal education. Participants
in this year’s program came from
Morley and John Forrest senior high
schools.
Senior library staff members have
been engaged in the planning and
design of the new library that will form
part of the Maylands multipurpose
centre. The library will be an attractive
state of the art facility that will
serve the needs of the Maylands
community for many years.
Statistical summary
During 2008-09 the City’s libraries:
• loaned 423,470 items (increase
of 4.3 percent) - an average of
1,531 items per day;
• recorded 311,400 patron visits
(increase of 4.6 percent) - an
average of more than 1,125 visits
per day;
• recorded 11,190 attendances
(increase of 20 percent) at events
and activities conducted for
adults and children;
• registered 4,308 new members
- an increase of 11.6 percent,
bringing the total membership
to 23,340.
14 city of bayswater annual report 2008-09