Restructure going by the books
A decline in desk checkouts is one of the reasons for an overhaul of Auckland’s community libraries.
The restructuring is a response to changes in the ways people use libraries, general manager Mirla Edmundson says.
The total number of items checked out across Auckland has fallen from 14.6 million in 2012/13 to 14.2 million in 2015/16. There has been a decline in the number of desk checkouts from 5.5 million in 2012/13 to 3.7 million in 2015/16. Self check-outs remained fairly stable around 9 million. However, electronic checkouts have risen from a measly 200,000 in 2012/13 to 1.5 million in 2015/16.
‘‘While the number of physical transactions within our libraries has decreased, we have seen that the demand for online and digital services is growing, reflecting a global trend,’’ Edmundson says.
The number of library visits has fallen from a peak of 14 million in 2011/12 to 12 million in the most recent 2015/16 year. However, people are staying longer due largely to the availability of free wi-fi, a business case for the restructuring shows.
Last week, 74 librarians took voluntary redundancy, while the remaining 955 will learn of firm plans in the next few weeks.
Edmunsen says there is no plan to close libraries, reduce opening hours, or diminish libraries’ critical role in communities.