For this year's World Book and Copyright Day the NSO published results of a survey that indicated a drop in book, newspaper and periodical purchasing, as well as in library borrowing. The survey report suggests that "These drops may indicate a shift in reading patterns from printed-book material to online journals and magazines".

The worldwide reality is that there is a general move away from print. In other countries, some newspapers have given up their printed edition in favour of an all-online one, but many of these are facing falling revenues to the point that they cannot uphold a working newsroom. So it does seem in that case that though print newspapers are being read less, there is not yet the confidence in online papers for them to be sustained by advertising. Meaning we are very much in a state of flux.

In this day and age, there are a lot of distractions from the more traditional book reading, with new media technologies rating quite high on that scale. A lifestyle survey carried out by the NSO in 2007 showed that only 38 per cent of the adult population of Malta listed reading as their hobby. This contrasts sharply with statistics that come out of, for example, the north of Europe. We have no data that indicates clearly the reason why the Maltese always rank very low in European reading scales. A lot of explanations can be bandied about but none has statistical backing that might suggest a direct remedy. The National Book Council has suggested an in-depth national survey about this. One hopes that the results of such a survey would give a better indication as to what the crux of the problem is.

But in the meantime the administration of the land can do a lot more than shrug and accept with resignation the statistics of falling library borrowing. The amount of money allocated to the acquisition of books for our public library is risible, and if this were to be taken as an indication of this government's commitment to culture, then it would be a sorry one indeed. The collection at the national public library is old and at times, in spite of the good intentions and persistent hard work of the librarians, falling apart. The lack of new books is often quoted as one of the reasons by those who have given up going to the library to borrow books.

Also, the wrong decision was made those many years ago when the building that houses the lending library was chosen. It is out of the way, with a long climb back up to the main road, and a deterrent to all but the most avid bookworms. The building itself is old and unkempt. Its metal shelves and classroom-like tables and chairs are a disgrace to a place which should welcome with care and the intention to retain the visitor and invite many more visits.

Even if the library cannot be moved elsewhere, then a thorough refurbishing job should be attempted, like the makeover given recently to the University library, a part of which has become a reader's haven, comfortable and welcoming. The library itself should be a hub of activities that promote book reading.

On the national level, the National Book Council is very proactive socially and has made huge strides in putting the book on the country's agenda. But it too has very little funding to do its good work, though Minister Cristina does seem to have backed it in a number of initiatives. More is needed. Volunteered work by those who believe in the importance of the book is far from being enough.

There is a lot that can be done to make the book more attractive to the Maltese people, if the good will and the funding are found to do so.