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Library visits up in Winchester

28.05.08 Benedicte Page

Early estimates from Hampshire County Council show big increases in library visitor and membership figures for the first six months since the Winchester Discovery Centre opened. The £7m Centre is the second of the county's libraries to be rebranded as part of a controversial programme overseen by
director of recreation and heritage Yinnon Ezra.

The estimated figures show a 68% increase in visitor numbers on the same period in 2005/6, to 257,000, with stock issues put at 238,000 and described as "significantly more than any other library in Hampshire". The estimated figures are extrapolated from previous months' visitors. Confirmed figures are expected in June.

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By perkins

Not quite true-- 'Hampshire' as reported here is the area of the county council. To normal earthlings Hampshire includes Portsmouth and Southampton, which are in dirfferent councils and both of which have rather good and busy central libraries; these two are not included in these figures. The stock issues in Winchester should be more than any other library within the domain of Hampshire County Council-- nothing special in that, the next nearest large town libraries are the ones in Gosport and towns of that size - they always have been. The extent to which book issues have been increased following this extraordinary expenditure is the figure for which we are all looking. Let us hope that the pressure from residents forced Ezra to make some improvements in the book stock-- and if it has there will be an increase in lending.

28 May 08 10:43

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By Nicola Horsey (Acting Head of Libraries and Information at Hampshire County Council)

Historically Basingstoke and Fareham have been busier libraries than Winchester, as would be expected from their larger population or catchment area. However Winchester's book issues have reversed the national picture of decline and are currently showing a 9% rise on 3 years ago. Southampton and Portsmouth have been unitary library authorities since the 1997 Local Government Reorganisation but significantly Winchester's issue trends are on track to surpass their Central Libraries' issues this year.

30 May 08 07:59

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