Across Aotearoa, councils are looking closely at costs and the services they provide. For public libraries, that makes it increasingly important to be able to show not just how much they are used, but the difference they make.
In Hutt City, the numbers show a service that is very well used. Last year our libraries had 1,938,973 visits and loaned 642,773 physical items and 259,784 digital items, including eBooks, audiobooks and streaming video.
They also delivered 8,585 programmed sessions, with 146,518 attendances. These included early literacy, reading and literature, digital literacy, arts, heritage and health and wellbeing, with programmes for different ages and audiences including Māori, Pasifika and multicultural communities.
But libraries are about more than books, programmes and visitor numbers. The 2025 Community Impact Survey looks at what people get from using their public library; including learning, confidence, wellbeing, culture and connection.
The Hutt City results show that 85% of respondents said their library increased their happiness and wellbeing, 76% said it increased their sense of belonging to their community and 55% said it improved their independence, confidence or self-esteem. 84% said it encouraged their love of reading and books.
Results were also particularly strong around culture and connection. 49% said their library helped them understand more about cultural diversity in New Zealand, 30% said it supported them to explore their heritage and 29% said it supported their learning or use of Te Reo Māori.
Public libraries will always be places where people can find and borrow a good book. But they are also places where people can spend time without having to spend money, learn something new, meet other people and take part in their community.
The numbers tell us our libraries are busy. The survey tells us why that matters.
Joann Ransom
Head of Neighbourhood Hubs and Library Services at Hutt City Council
There’s a cosy library near you
I whakamaoritia te upoko ki te reo māori