Children’s fiction is major growth area for UK libraries

The number of children’s fiction books lent has risen significantly in the latest UK library survey issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

The number of children’s fiction books lent rose by 6.1%, while new child fiction acquisitions increased by 8.8%. Children’s non-fiction lending rose by a smaller 0.7% with non-fiction acquisitions up by 3.3% in figures relating to 2008-09.

Meanwhile adult fiction lending fell by 0.1% and non-fiction by 1.8%, while adult fiction acquisitions fell by 3.4% and non-fiction by 4.3%.

The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library is once again the most popular library in Britain, both in terms of the number of visits (1,519,524) and the number of books issued (1,124,233). Birmingham Central Library was the second most visited (1,355,150) and Chelmsford Library issued the second highest number of books (740,927).

The pattern of library usage continues to change, with the number of web visits to UK libraries increasing by 49% over the previous year, up from 76,192,000 to 113,489,000. Physical visits to libraries have decreased by 4.3% since 2004, down to 324,991,000 from 339,708,000.

Julian Mund, CIPFA’s Director of Operations said:

‘It’s very encouraging to see from the CIPFA survey that books are continuing to play an important part in our children’s education. While many are now making use of online services, it’s clear that libraries remain as popular and relevant as ever.’

ENDS

Contact: Guy Roberts/ Lindsay Machin / Chloe Forbes
CIPFA Press Office
t 020 7543 5712/5645/5787
e guy.roberts@cipfa.org.uk / lindsay.machin@cipfa.org.uk / chloe.forbes@cipfa.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
1. Headline figures from the latest CIPFA library statistics are available from www.cipfastats.net, with the full dataset available to subscribers.

2. The busiest libraries in the UK are:

These figures are based on returns to the CIPFA Public Library Actuals survey 2008-09.

* The CIPFA survey asks for the library with the most visits and also the library with the most issues in a year, therefore only one library can qualify per authority. There is a small possibility that one authority could have a second library that would appear in the top 20 libraries. E.g. Chelmsford in Essex has the most issues is Essex, and if Colchester has greater than 450,000 issues per annum it will still not be included in the above top 20.

About CIPFA

CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. Our 14,000 members work throughout the public services, in national audit agencies, in major accountancy firms, and in other bodies where public money needs to be effectively and efficiently managed. As the world’s only professional accountancy body to specialise in public services, CIPFA’s portfolio of qualifications are the foundation for a career in public finance. They include the benchmark professional qualification for public sector accountants as well as a postgraduate diploma for people already working in leadership positions. They are taught by our in-house CIPFA Education and Training Centre as well as other places of learning around the world. We also champion high performance in public services, translating our experience and insight into clear advice and practical services. They include information and guidance, courses and conferences, property and asset management solutions, consultancy and interim people for a range of public sector clients. Globally, CIPFA shows the way in public finance by standing up for sound public financial management and good governance. We work with donors, partner governments, accountancy bodies and the public sector around the world to advance public finance and support better public services.