PUBLIC LIBRARY USAGE -

The following information relates to the public library network in the UK.

PUBLIC LIBRARY USERS

• 58% of the population are library members (over 33 million)
• 29% of the population use a library at least monthly
• Reading books at home is the fifth most popular pastime, ahead of gardening & DIY
• Age profile of users: 15-24 8.1%, 25-34 12.5%, 35-54 31.2%, 55+ 47.3%
• Adults - Female 62%, Male 38%

CHILDREN & PUBLIC LIBRARIES

• 76,756,000 children’s books issued 2003
• 76.9% of children who visit the library have a membership card
• 46.3% of primary and 54.8% of secondary aged children in libraries are weekly visitors
• Age profile of users: under 5s 28.7%, 5-10 38.5%, 11-15 31.2%
• Children - Female 55.5%, Male 44.5%
  
  Sources: IPF Market Research Unit and Social Trends Survey ONS© 2002
  
  LISU Libraries Online Statistics Tables

Press Release from the
Museums Libraries and
Archives Council
issued 01 June 2004

Public Libraries - A Massive Network...

4136 static and 656 mobile libraries

144,841 service point hours per week

92.7% of visitors rated their library service as ‘good’ or ‘very good’

...and a massive operation

342 million visits per year – 43 million computer sessions

The Millennium Library in Norwich issued 1.158 million loans in 2006/7

Birmingham Central Library has 6,000 visitors a day and 10,000 on Saturdays

Library Services include: see sample promotions

Support for readers · Information navigation, including public Internet access · Educational support for children
Lifelong learning opportunities · CDs & audio cassettes · Business reference and information services · Local history resources · Community information / meetings · Reading/discussion groups · Homework clubs · Outreach services including prisons and hospitals
Mobile & house-bound services · Early years literacy support · Children’s Story time · Holiday activities · Homework clubs
Family and teenage reading groups · Teenage book collections