State library posted record lending in 2021 – Liechtenstein
VADUZ – Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the Liechtenstein National Library was able to lend more media to the population in 2021 than ever before. Books, audio books and films were particularly in demand. Overall, the state library counted around 41,000 visitors last year.
Compared to the previous year, media loans increased by 6.6 percent to around 178,000 loans. According to the state library, there was above-average demand for books, magazines and audio books. The lending of electronic media such as eBooks and eAudios on the Dibiost platform, on the other hand, increased at a below-average rate of 2.8 percent. A good two-thirds of all loans were physical media, with electronic media accounting for just under a third.
The digital newspapers and magazines on Genios and the digitized Liechtenstein publications on eLiechtensteinensia were also actively used via the National Library website.
New library users
Last year almost 500 new users acquired a library card from the state library. The number of visitors increased by 4.5 percent compared to the previous year to around 41,000 visitors. Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the number of visitors was still well below the pre-corona level. The learning areas had to remain closed for the first two months, and from mid-September 2021 a Covid-19 certificate was required for a stay in the state library.
60th anniversary celebrated
In October 2021, the Liechtenstein National Library celebrated its 60th anniversary with a series of activities. This includes an anniversary brochure with around 60 recommendations from Liechtenstein publications from the population and a virtual exhibition on 60 years of the state library. According to a broadcast from the state library, the highlight of the anniversary activities was the official ceremony on October 11, 2021 with government councilor Manuel Frick and the commemorative speech by the writer Benjamin Quaderer.
Moving in 2026
According to the state parliament resolution of May 2019, the post office and administration building in Vaduz will become the new location of the state library. With regard to the architectural competition, the Board of Trustees and the release of the state library developed the usage concept and the spatial program of the new state library. Both documents are part of the competition program and form a basis for evaluating the projects. The architectural competition started in September 2021. The move into the new library location is planned for autumn 2026.