PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Peter Reisdorf
Date of Issue: 10 January 2006
Contact phone number:
0151 625 9274

Wirral Libraries: ‘good - but could do better'

Wirral's libraries have been praised following news that, nationally, visits to libraries have gone up by 22 million a year - but the praise comes with a warning.

Councillor Peter Reisdorf, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Cultural Services, said

"The figures are encouraging and show that Wirral libraries are starting to give people what they want".

"Wirral has helped to pioneer new technology in libraries.  Many people now access computers and the internet at their local library."

"But it isn't entirely a good news story.  Cultural facilities such as libraries are an easy target for budget cuts and the funds for buying books and the opening hours have both been affected. The number of books borrowed nationally is falling. This is a core function of libraries and we have to provide the books people want to borrow and provide access to them when people want it.”

“With more borrowing and hours cuts restored we could do even better.”

The figures were issued by CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) today (Wednesday 4 January). The number of visits nationally has increased from 318m in 2001/02 to 340m in 2004/05. A total of 330m books were borrowed in 2004/05, which represents a fall of 3.1%.

Wirral's visitor figures have steadily increased over the last few years with a minor glitch this last financial year due to major refurbishment projects at several libraries including St James' and Eastham. Wirral also enjoyed a good year in 2003/04 when it was one of the best authorities in the NW in terms of visitor figures.

St James visitor and issue figures have increased by 50% since reopening in Feb 2005 and the Council is hopeful of a further improvement.

2004/05 = 1,826,916

2003/04 = 2,024,828

2002/03 = 1,804,541

2001/02 = 1,479,548 .