Free Romance Enjoyed By Many

It may have been only 50 cents but it seems the removal of the long-standing rental charge on Dunedin Public Libraries mystery, romance and other genre fiction has made a difference on what the public is reading.

The 50 cent rental charge was removed on 1 July this year and for the first two months since borrowing of mystery fiction has increased by 26.4% and romances by a huge 62.8%, according to figures released this week by Libraries Services Manager Bernie Hawke. Borrowings of what was known as "free fiction" have fallen by 13.7%. However, overall, fiction borrowing is up 2.7%.

Total loans for the period 1 July to 30 September 2009 were 447,952 up by 8,857 loans or 2.0% compared with the same period in 2008/09. This reflected increased loans at the Bookbus as well as City, Mosgiel, Port Chalmers and Waikouaiti libraries.

Identified savings in operation costs from the introduction of a new computer system for the Library, which is shared by four other libraries in Otago and Southland, has offset the loss of revenue from the removal of the 50 cent rental charge, Mr Hawke said.

The SirsiDynix Symphony library computer system went live late last month and runs borrowing, library card holders accounts and the library catalogue.

Contact details

Contact DCC on 477 4000.

Last reviewed: 06 Nov 2009 4:02pm