Last year, 811,385 books were borrowed from public libraries, an increase of some 26,000 when compared to 2005.

Speaking on the occasion of World Book Day, Education Minister Louis Galea highlighted the Libraries Department’s mission to educate, inform and entertain the public through books.

Regional libraries all over Malta, through an agreement reached between the department and local councils, are well-equipped to meet the needs of all those who require their services, he said.

Dr Galea yesterday also distributed a number of books on behalf of the Central Public Library to regional libraries.