The NSO is once again marking World Book and Copyright Day by publishing a News Release with various statistical indicators related to the use of libraries, imports and exports of books and periodicals, and consumption expenditure on books and other related material.

In last year’s message on World Book and Copyright Day, the Director General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, stated that “this event offers a new opportunity for political decision-makers, economic agents and those active in civil society to give pride of place, each in their own field, to this unique instrument of culture, education, participation, communication and entertainment – the book.”

This year UNESCO is suggesting that countries explore the theme of books and their paramount function for the development of quality education, as well as the link between publishing and human rights.

In the course of 2008, provisional data indicates a decline of 17.2 per cent in imports of printedbook material when compared to 2007. A decline was also registered in the imports of print periodicals (down by 26.4 per cent).

A Lifestyle Survey carried out during 2007 enquired about the preferred hobbies among Maltese residents. Results of this survey showed that 38 per cent of the total adult population (18+) indicated reading as one of their preferences.

An analysis by district showed that reading is the most popular among people living in the Northern District (42.3 per cent) and least in Gozo and Comino, with 29.9 per cent. 59.8 per cent of the adult population indicated reading as one of their hobbies while among the adult population with no schooling, only 9.4 per cent indicated that reading is one of their hobbies.

New membership in public libraries continued to register a falling trend during 2008, with 5,049 members joining public libraries when compared to 5,257 in 2007, 5,917 in 2006 and 6,447 in 2005. On a district level, the only district with an increase in both adult and junior membership during 2008 was the Northern District. Total book loans by public libraries in Malta and Gozo also continued to decrease to 758,779 in 2008 when compared to 813,153 in 2007; this indicates a drop of 6.7 per cent.

Private consumption expenditure on books, newspapers and periodicals showed a negative growth during 2008 when compared to 2007. Expenditure on books went down by 4.0 per cent whilst expenditure on newspapers and periodicals went down by 8.2 per cent. These drops may indicate a shift in reading patterns from printed-book material to online journals and magazines.