The number of people visiting libraries in Gloucestershire has shot up by 11 per cent this year, with Gloucestershire Libraries revealing a significant increase in footfall in the year 2023-24.
Over 1.38 million visitors stopped by its network of 32 libraries across the county, compared to just over 1.25 million visitors in 2022-23.
It's bolstered by the relocation of Stroud Library to a more central location at Five Valleys Shopping Centre, which alone saw a record-breaking 53 per cent increase in footfall and 815 new members between April and June 2024.
These impressive statistics follows the launch of Gloucestershire Libraries' ambitious five-year library strategy in 2023, which set a plan in motion for how the services would continue to develop.
As well as successfully increasing visitor numbers, its annual review of the strategy celebrates several notable achievements for the service in the past year, including the launch of its very own summer challenge for young readers — which got more than 7,000 children under 13 to engage with the library service through reading and attending events.
Other stand-out successes include the opening of an Arts Council-funded, immersive storytelling centre at Oakley in Cheltenham, which focuses on digital engagement with the local community, and refurbishments for both Longlevens and Bishop's Cleeve libraries.
This year also saw the launch of a brand-new 'Library of Things' initiative at Charlton Kings Library, which makes household items that are not often used — think gazebos, pressure washers and drills — available for the community to borrow, with 195 useful items on the roster so far.
Councillor Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries, said: 'Our library strategy set out the ambitions of the service over five years and I’m pleased to see the progress we have been making with so many wonderful achievements over the past year.
'I’m delighted so many people have been visiting our libraries to benefit from the wide ranges of free services on offer. Whilst the service is evolving, we’re committed to ensuring libraries remain at the heart of their communities.'
