Lawmaker calls gov’t to improve public library services as usage rebounds

[Photo: Lynzy Valles]

Lawmaker Ella Lei has called on the government to further improve the city’s public library services and make better use of existing resources as demand for library spaces and physical books continues to rebound.

In a written inquiry to the government, Lei cited Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) data showing that public library usage increased in 2025, with annual visits reaching 274,000, book loans rising to 538,000 and book reservations exceeding 100,000.

The simultaneous increase in library visits and book borrowing, coupled with a continued decline in audiovisual material loans, suggests that residents’ demand for reading spaces and physical books is growing, while their usage habits are also changing, Lei said.

“How will the government continue to optimize the allocation of public library spaces, the display of collections, borrowing services and other services to further enhance the attractiveness of public libraries and the efficiency of resource use?” she asked.

Lei said some residents have reported that several libraries are often full on weekdays, adding that the central library storage facility now holds about 470,000 items, with some classic books available only by reservation from the central collection.

She suggested that libraries could periodically bring older books from storage back into branches for themed displays, allowing the collections to be used more effectively and giving residents greater access to existing resources.

Meanwhile, Macau is also moving ahead with several library projects. The new central library is scheduled for completion in 2028, while the Eastern District 2 Library, located in New Urban Zone A, is expected to open this year.

The Coloane Library is also planned to undergo a transformation by the middle of next year into a new type of library featuring more leisure-oriented experiences.

Lei said the government should “take the opportunity presented by these new facilities to reconsider the design and layout of the city’s library network and better respond to residents’ increasingly diverse needs.”

“Beyond continuing to advance library construction, how will the government use the new hardware and facilities to further improve library services and collection sizes, as well as organize more reading and cultural-sharing activities?” Lei asked.

Ending her interpellation, the lawmaker also called for better coordination of resources across existing and new libraries, saying that improving both physical facilities and services would help maximize the benefits of public library investment as reading becomes increasingly popular among residents.