City library presents annual statistics for 2024

With its 100th anniversary in 2024, Bocholt City Library can look back on a long history of success - also thanks to successful adaptation to the changing needs of readers. Among other things, the statistical key figures now recorded for the year 2024 provide an insight into the future of the library.

Bocholt City Library celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and has undergone many changes during this time in order to respond to the demands of society. Statistical key figures have been and continue to be helpful, as they show which services are particularly popular and reflect current trends. These figures are now available for 2024 - and provide a positive overall picture.

Lots of reading, listening and playing

As a modern cultural institution, Bocholt City Library offers a diverse range of classic books, console and board games, audio books, Tonies and e-books for everyone.

Particularly pleasing: with a slight increase in circulation figures for 2024, classic print media are still popular - both with adults and children (total circulation 2024: 368,652, +0.35%). Well-known authors such as Sebastian Fitzek and Lucinda Riley or famous series such as Greg's Diary naturally play a major role and, as in the previous year, are once again among the top 5 most-read books in Bocholt City Library. Digital reading was also a trend in 2024, with the "muensterload" online lending service recording increases.(Loans in 2024: 55,141, +7.73%).

However, the increase was more significant in a completely different area: with double-digit growth in 2024, board and console games in particular (loans in 2024: 11,078, +12.08%) as well as the well-known audio and discovery formats Edurino, Tigercards and Tonies (loans in 2024: 10,303, +37.7%) were very popular, and not just with young readers. "Zicke Zacke Hühnerkacke" once again took first place among board games, while Conni even left the "Eiskönigin" behind in the Tonies category.

"The readers in Bocholt appreciate our digital offerings just as much as the classic print media - and that's a very nice thing", says Marita Wormland from the library team.

The Suderwick branch enjoys great popularity

The branch in Suderwick is also following this positive trend and is performing very well overall. As the figures show, it is mainly families with children who come to the branch to stock up on their favourite media. Tonies (loans in 2024: 2,279, +55.99%) and books for children and young people (loans in 2024: 5,609, +48.27%) were in high demand and enjoyed above-average growth.

Towards the third place

Libraries are developing into a "th place" and are thus becoming a hub for encounters, dialogue and shared learning. Bocholt City Library is also part of this development, which is reflected in the key statistical figures for 2024. A media collection adapted to social requirements creates space for events and cultural interaction. Last year, events and visitor numbers in particular benefited from this, both of which recorded a significant increase (participants in events in 2024: 4,627, +18.40%, number of visitors in 2024: 59,089, +15.21%).

"I am of course very pleased that our programmes - even if not all of them to the same extent - were able to increase significantly once again. This means that our work as a team is appreciated and that the library remains popular," summarises Melanie Tenhumberg, Head of the City Library, "It spurs us on to implement new concepts.

Last year, for example, we launched the newly created Library of Things and the expanded Seed Library, two sustainable formats that are sure to be well received."