Libraries more popular than ever

Published on 02 September 2025

More loans but fewer in-person visits (though that’s not all that it seems) – that’s the story for Loddon Shire’s libraries.

Data from the latest Library Services Quarterly Activity Report shows Loddon Shire residents borrowed 40,414 items from the library service in 2024-25, a whopping 12,217, or 43 per cent, more than the previous year.

Library services in Loddon Shire are run by the North Central Goldfields Regional Library Corporation (of which council is a member), with agencies in Boort, Dingee, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.

About 15 per cent of residents are library members.

While the number of loans increased – largely attributed to increased usage of the eLibrary, as well as an auto-renewals system set up in November 2024 – the number of in-person visits to Loddon Shire library agencies fell slightly to 15,054 for the year, down 336 on 2023-24.

That was also partially attributed to the auto-renewal system, meaning patrons no longer need to visit the library as frequently to renew items.

Other highlights included 63 new Loddon library members and an increase in attendance at library programs.

While there were 98 programs and events in 2024-25, 16 fewer than the year before, 1,452 people attended these events, up from 1,236 in 2023-24.

Some of those programs in the final few months of the financial year included the Curious Kids in the Library session at Inglewood Library in April, presented by the Discovery Science and Technology Centre in Bendigo and the National Simultaneous Storytime event in the Boort Library in May.

Wedderburn Library also underwent a refurbishment during the winter months to improve its functionality, accessibility and overall appeal.

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub said the statistics continued to prove the enduring appeal of library services in Loddon Shire.

“Libraries are among the most-loved services that Council is involved with and it is great to see our residents taking full advantage of everything they have to offer,” he said.

“However, we would love to see the State Government step up to the plate again with its funding contribution.

“What used to be funded 50-50 between local and state governments is now well and truly skewed towards local government, which funds about 75 per cent of the cost of the service.

“This increases the financial strain on local government to provide these services and raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of equitable library services in communities such as ours.”

Caption: Wedderburn Library Agency underwent a refurbishment recently.