The National Library of Malaysia (PNM) has reported that demand for e-books has increased throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) period which started on March 18. It said that nearly 40,000 digital books in its collection were borrowed, compared to an average of 15,000 copies per month prior to the beginning of MCO.
PNM senior deputy director Aidatul Hasnida Abdul Rani told Bernama that concurrent to the beginning of the cordon sanitaire, the National Library portal visitor statistics and u-Pustaka membership registration also showed a huge spike in numbers. She added that as of 21 April 2020, the cumulative number of registered users has reached 501,295.
“During the MCO alone, membership registration reached 22,982 members. The highest membership registration was at the beginning of the MCO reaching 6,069 registrations in one day (19 March),” she told Bernama.
With more than a month and counting as we continue to self-isolate, there have been an astounding selection of entertainment to keep us occupied. Interestingly, even with the free games, video content and what have you, it’s good to know that Malaysians are still enjoying a good book (albeit digitally) to pass the time.
(Source: Bernama | Header image: Pexels)
