Toowoomba Region's library e-services are witnessing a spike in usage since COVID-19 restrictions saw the closure of library facilities on 23 March 2020. The first month of reporting shows a leap in all e-resources with some e-library services showing significant increases of up to 200 per cent.
Newly appointed Toowoomba Regional Council Portfolio Leader for Environment and Community Services, Cr Tim McMahon said that while the growth in e-library services has happened for some time, the last month has seen a significant increase in popularity.
"During this unique time, the community are using their devices to take advantage of the 24/7 access to our libraries many online resources including e-books, e-audio-books, e-magazines and newspapers, online films and music," Cr McMahon said.
"Niche Academy, an online collection of video clips demonstrating how to access and use our e-resources, has had significant growth with 204 per cent more use than the previous month.
"PressReader, an online collection of over 7000 e-newspapers and magazines, saw usage jump by 129 per cent.
"E-books usage increased by 65 per cent with the most popular categories being mystery, suspense and thrillers as well as Australian and contemporary fiction. Ziptales, an online reading platform for ages 2 - 11, has also seen an uptake in usage".
"Toowoomba Region Libraries has recently added three new e-resources that provide users with a broader choice, particularly the avid reader, home educator or researcher".
"The new resources include 'Story Box Library', an educational resource for children, 'World Book Online Encyclopaedia', and library users also have temporary access to popular genealogy tool 'Ancestry.com library edition'.
"While there is still an essential place for the physical lending of books, magazines, DVDs and other resources, the future of libraries points to the growing popularity of e-resources.
"If members of the community are looking for online resources, e-library services are still available through Council's website - http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/libraries/elibrary - or our MyTRlibrary APP.
"With more than a million items loaned from our libraries, including nearly 120,000 digital items, the APP extends access to customers via a mobile platform."
If you require any assistance or need help to access online services, please contact our library staff on 131 872 or go to www.tr.qld.gov.au/libraries.
