A library in Norwich has once again been named the most visited in the country in a survey released today. The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library proved to be the busiest public library in England in 2007 with over 1.5 million visits. The library, in the centre of the city, pipped to the post Birmingham Central Library as the nation’s favourite.

The figures from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) revealed Manchester Central Library as the third most popular, ahead of Croydon Central Library in fourth place. Both libraries chalked up over a million visits last year. In fifth place was Brighton’s Jubilee library with almost 900,000 users.

The number of visitors to public libraries has been falling nationally but the latest figures show that the decline is not irreversible at regional level, CIPFA said. Visitor numbers have actually increased this year in three regions - the North West, Yorkshire & the Humber and East of England.

Julian Mund, Director of Operations at CIPFA, said:

“This survey illustrates clearly the major role libraries still play in the cultural life of our towns and cities.  Whether they are used for borrowing books, films and music, doing research or using the internet, libraries are at the heart of our communities and need to be given the strongest support.”

Residents of the East of England proved to be the most enthusiastic library goers of any region with a second library appearing in the top ten - Ipswich’s County Library in sixth place.  Blackburn Central Library and Chesterfield followed in seventh and eighth places respectively, with London’s Wood Green and Preston’s Harris Library completing the top ten.

The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library also topped the poll for the number of books issued in England last year, with over 1.1 million. Milton Keynes Central and Chelmsford in Essex came in second and third with Brighton’s Jubilee and Oxford Central making up the top five biggest issuers of material.

CIPFA pointed out that the number of residents living close to libraries can vary quite considerably.  For example, in Norfolk only 68% of the population live within two miles of a library, compared with Camden in London, where virtually 100% of residents live within one mile of their nearest public library.

ENDS

Contact: Guy Roberts, Richard Taylor or Vicky Onslow
CIPFA Press Office, tel: 020 7543 5712/5687/5645
email: pressoffice@cipfa.org

Notes to Editors:

1. The figures are based on returns to the CIPFA Public Library survey 2006-07 compiled in association with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

1. Advance orders of the full report can be made by telephoning 020 8667 1144. Ask for Public Library Statistics. Hard Copy Price £110. Electronic data are available for download and purchase from www.cipfastats.net
2. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one that specialises in the public services. It is responsible for the education and training of professional accountants and for their regulation through the setting and monitoring of professional standards. Uniquely among the professional accountancy bodies in the UK, CIPFA has responsibility for setting accounting standards for a significant part of the economy, namely local government. CIPFA's members work (often at the most senior level) in public service bodies, in the national audit agencies and major accountancy firms. They are respected throughout for their high technical and ethical standards and professional integrity.