Why did borrowing increase at P.E.I. libraries in 2025?

Borrowing increased as Islanders faced financial pressures and sought free resources like books and Wi-Fi.

What kind of programs did P.E.I. Public Library Service offer?

P.E.I. libraries offered over 5,000 programs for all ages, including story times, teen clubs, and senior sessions.

What non-traditional items are available at P.E.I. libraries?

P.E.I. libraries offer items like ghost-hunting kits, educational tablets, heart health kits, and cognitive care kits.

Home / Lifestyle / P.E.I. Libraries See Record Borrowing Amid Financial Strain

P.E.I. Libraries See Record Borrowing Amid Financial Strain

3 Jan

•

Summary

Islanders borrowed 735,151 items, a 7% increase over the previous year.
Financial pressures drive demand for free library resources like Wi-Fi and books.
Libraries expanded programming, offering over 5,000 programs with 50,000 participants.

Public library usage in Prince Edward Island reached record highs in 2025, with 735,151 items borrowed, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. This surge reflects the financial challenges faced by many Islanders, who are turning to free institutional resources like libraries for Wi-Fi, books, and other programs.

The library service also provided 4,359 items to community care facilities and 5,843 items to early learning centres, ensuring broad access. Digital resources like e-books and audiobooks saw strong growth, with the digital platform rivaling a physical branch in circulation numbers. Despite added costs and circulation limits for digital content, libraries plan to continue investing in online resources.

Beyond traditional borrowing, the P.E.I. Public Library Service delivered over 5,000 programs across 25 branches, attracting over 50,000 participants. These programs cater to all ages, offering everything from story times to technology sessions. Additionally, libraries expanded their collection of non-traditional items, including ghost-hunting kits, educational tablets, health kits, and cognitive care kits.