Author: Hugh Shiplett, Bethany Jones
Year: 2026
Category:
Social Policy
Public libraries are important places for learning, connection, and community life in New Brunswick. Many people borrow books and other materials from public libraries, but borrowing data alone cannot show the broader benefits of library use. These benefits often develop over time and are difficult to measure, making it challenging to see how library engagement relates to outcomes in early learning, education, or settlement. This study helps fill that gap by using linked administrative data to understand not only who is borrowing library materials but also how library engagement relates to outcomes that matter for the province.
The study combines library checkout records with information from the Canadian Census, the provincial Medicare registry, Early Years Evaluations, school records, post-secondary enrolments, and immigration data. It looks at which households borrow materials, how borrowing varies across communities, and how outcomes differ between library-using and non-using households. The results show that families with children and recent immigrants are among the most active borrowers, and that children and youth in library-using households tend to show stronger developmental and academic outcomes. The study also finds that distance from a library and temporary branch closures can reduce borrowing. While the results reflect associations rather than cause-and-effect relationships, they offer a clearer picture of how public libraries support learning and community well-being across the province.
