Digital library boost

Culture Perth and Kinross saw eLibrary learning increase by over 5000 per cent last year.

Chief executive Helen Smout told councillors on the scrutiny committee there had been a“significant”increase in digital engagement with library users over the past year.

Ms Smout told councillors: “We have had a 5464 per cent increase in our eLibrary lending in the last year.

“Some of that is attributed to our eNewspaper and eMagazines.

“But we also saw 118 per cent increase in eBook issues and a 68 per cent increase in our eAudiobook issue.

“That’s a great success and we are delighted that so many people have been able to access our services in that way.

“We have also had 103 per cent increase in our social media use over the past year.”

Ms Smout also highlighted an issue of digital isolation.

She said:“We are aware we have an awful lot of people who are not digitally enabled and indeed are very digitally isolated.

“We had just under 1400 individuals who accessed a computer in one of our venues in the five months we were operational (after last year’s lockdown).

“Anecdotally many of them told us that was their only route online and that when we were shut they had no other way to engage with the digital services that had all moved online.”

Speaking on behalf of all three of PKC’s arms-length organisations - Culture Perth and Kinross, Live Active Leisure and Horsecross Arts - Ms Smout said they would look towards a blended model going forward offering both digital and venue visitor experiences.