Record-Breaking Figures in 2022-23 Reflect Strong Engagement with Diverse Offerings
An impressive surge in residents has been observed at Wyndham libraries, with an astonishing 774,072 visits recorded. Throughout the 2022-23 fiscal year, attendance at various programs skyrocketed to nearly 100,000, setting an unprecedented benchmark.
Cr Jasmine Hill, who oversees Wyndham City’s Learning City portfolio, expressed her excitement, noting that the community is wholeheartedly embracing Wyndham’s free library services. In the 2022/23 financial year, a total of 4,266 activities were conducted, drawing an impressive attendance of 95,972.
This encompassed not only programs and events but also a diverse array of other services, such as Justice of the Peace and IT sessions, as well as printed and online activities like competitions.
Some notable highlights include:
– May emerged as the busiest month, with 503 programs delivered.
– Programs were conducted at more than 27 different locations.
– There were 13 Author talks with a total of 270 attendees.
– Bilingual sessions, totaling 51, engaged 870 attendees.
– A total of 14 competitions attracted 4,927 entries.
Cr Hill further emphasized the popularity of Early Years and kids activities, indicating that these sessions garnered the highest overall attendance, which is reflective of Wyndham’s predominantly young family demographic. Engaging with children holds immense significance in boosting literacy levels, fostering a love for lifelong learning, and promoting social interaction.
Throughout the 2022-23 period, the library’s offerings received a strong response:
– A total of 361 Baby Times sessions were conducted, drawing 9,991 participants.
– 779 Rhyme time sessions attracted a substantial crowd of 29,519 participants (including off-site sessions).
– The provision of 534 holiday activities resulted in a significant turnout of 18,248 participants.
Cr Hill concluded by noting that the substantial attendance numbers indicate that Wyndham City is likely to remain among the top five in terms of program attendance when compared to other Victorian Library Services.
The increase in numbers can be attributed to the introduction of two new services: the Williams Landing Library Lounge and the Pop-Up Library Van. This rise is further propelled by the escalating cost of living and a growing desire for cost-free leisure activities.
For more information, please visit: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.aulibraries
