Holiday reading has Hastings District Libraries staff at full stretch

Hastings District Libraries staff were at full stretch over the holiday period as residents used the break from work to catch up on their reading.

The libraries were closed on the statutory holidays over Christmas and opened again on Wednesday the 28th. On that day the libraries processed 3805 returns and issued 3854 books. Those figures were greater on the corresponding day after New Year, with 5201 returns and 5626 issues.

District Libraries manager Paula Murdoch says “Staff also worked on the statutory holidays to clear the returns and make sure everything was ready for their reopening. Over a thousand returns came in on the two days after Christmas while 2500 returns were processed after New Year.”

“The libraries new eBook service also proved extremely popular during the holiday period. 40 eBooks were issued during the six days the libraries were closed over Christmas and New Year.”

Paula Murdoch says “The large amount of borrowing over the holidays indicates that the library service remains a valuable and much sought after service to the community. Hastings library staff are determined to continue to provide a high level of service and will ensure that the books on offer meet the needs of the community.”

“Our new eBook and audiobook service is a great way of making reading material available 24/7 to our community.”