Soaring library use

In 2003/03 visits to public libraries increased by 14 million according to a new report by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

This is the second consecutive increase in usage. Book borrowing is down though, with the increase in popularity attributed to the introduction of computers and internet access into all UK public libraries.

Culture Minister David Lammy said public libraries had provided free knowledge and information for 150 years: “But the way libraries achieve this is changing. Reading and literacy remain at the heart of the service – and always will – but it is fantastic that access to new media now plays just as big a part.”

Mark Wood, chairman of the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) added: “Libraries have managed to transform their services: now its time for local authorities to give them the capital investment they need to stay ahead.”