The ALIA Australian Public Library Alliance has published their third public library eBook and eLending snapshot: Comparison of eBooks and eLending in Australian Public Libraries 2015.

KEY FINDINGS

1. Nearly all Australian public libraries now lend ebooks; up from 69% in 2013 and 97% in 2014 to 99% in 2015.

2. In 2015, on average ebooks made up 3.5% of a public library’s collection.

3. In 76% of public libraries, ebooks accounted for between 1% and 5% of loans; in 20% they accounted for less than 1% and in 4%, more than 5% of loans.

4. 60% of libraries used two or more ebook providers, up from 33% in 2013.

5. While the availability of Australian content had improved between 2013 and 2015, the majority of libraries were still less than satisfied or not satisfied with the choice of bestsellers, popular authors and overall content.

6. 88% of libraries had ebooks in their catalogue but only 44% were able to offer ebooks direct from their catalogue.

7. The number of libraries loaning ereading devices remained relatively static at 24%.

8. Skills in public libraries had increased, with 62% of libraries saying most or all of their staff were conversant with ebooks and ereaders.

9. In addition to ebooks, emagazines were available in 95% of libraries, emusic in 69%, movie downloads in 37% and eaudio books in 26%.