Almost 60,000 more books have been borrowed from government libraries in the first seven months compared to the same period last year.

A total of 475,725 books, an increase of 13 per cent, were taken out from the National Library in Floriana and regional libraries.

The government attributed this improvement to the higher investment being made in public libraries.

A total of €100,000 was allocated under this year’s budget to the purchase of new books, with a special focus on Maltese publications. So far, €76,627 have been spent – 11 times the meagre €7,011 spent in the same period last year.

Campaigns have also been launched urging people to read more. One of them promoted reading on the beach, with mobile libraries being placed in popular bathing spots.

The government said the increase in library usage was also thanks to the internet, since people now have access to all government libraries through a dedicated website.

Meanwhile, registrations for library services increased by 300 in the same period.

This year the National Library, with the help of Air Malta and the Lions Club, began two restoration projects on antique books and documents that urgently required attention.