U.K. Public Library Visits Up, Borrowing Down

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2006abc/january2006ab/ukstats.cfm

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Posted January 6, 2006.

U.K. Public Library Visits Up, Borrowing Down

A survey released in January by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in London showed a 7% rise in visits—up by more than 17 million—to public libraries from three years ago. The increase over last year’s number of visitors, however, was only 0.8%. The organization’s Public Library Statistics 2005–06 Estimates and 2004–05 Actuals attributes the change to libraries offering more-convenient locations, modern surroundings, and internet workstations, which have increased by 14% in the past year.

Book circulation fell by slightly more than 3% since 2003–2004, from 341 million transactions to 330 million.

John Dolan, head of library policy for the Museums, Libraries, and Archives Council, stated in the January 5 online eGov Monitor, “These figures are a welcome spotlight on library performance and their timely release means that public libraries services can start the year knowing that more people are visiting and also with a clear set of goals for the future.”

The statistics are better news than U.K. public libraries had last year, when a March 2005 survey showed library visits decreasing and called for “urgent action” to reverse a decline in service.

Posted January 6, 2006.