The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its Perspective on Culture March 2011 report, Library and Archive Attendance.
The outcomes are reinforced by data in the ABS report 4114.0 – Attendance at Selected Cultural Venues and Events, Australian 2009-10.
Some of the outcomes of note were:
- an attendance rate of 34% of the population aged 15+
- making it the 4th most attended cultural event in the preceding 12 months (cinemas coming in at No. 1)
- with more frequent visits than the other events – 64% of those who had visited a library had done so more than five times in the 12 months
- figures were similar across the states, with the ACT the highest at 38% and WA lowest at 31%
- increases from previous studies in every state except SA and WA
- females more likely to visit than males
- highest attendances reported by those born overseas in an English speaking country, employed part-time, had dependent children, with graduate or post-graduate qualifications.
(note: this is reporting on attendance at National, State and local libraries only)
You can read both these reports at the ABS website.
Any surprises for you?
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March 31, 2011 at 07:13
No surprises there, the figures are much the same as before. The drop in library usership in W.A. is worrisome, the population in this state is increasing but library usership is seemingly not keeping up. That may be because the population is growing in mining areas that are not yet served by libraries and because it is predominately men moving to the state (and they don’t use libraries so much). Would be good to get some facts on this.