Cheshire East libraries just the ticket for book borrowers

 

Cheshire East has come out top of its class for its library services.

A recent survey of the country’s 55 unitary authorities found that the borough’s book worms borrowed more books per head of population than any other.

Nearly 5,300 books per 1,000 members were borrowed from the borough’s 16 libraries, placing Cheshire East as the lead unitary authority for library services.

The research also showed  library members in Macclesfield are the most avid readers. The town’s library loaned a total of 348,719 books to become the busiest in the whole of the North West.

With 126,063 books, Cheshire East libraries hold the biggest collection of children’s fiction compared to other unitary authorities and the council purchased 22,546 children’s books in 2015/16, showing the authority’s commitment to investing in children’s learning, literacy and literature.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for communities and health, said: “The council is facing difficult times financially, with the loss of government grants but we are determined to maintain those services that our residents value most and they are sending us the message that our libraries are very important to them..

“It is unfortunate that many councils are losing some of their libraries but here, in Cheshire East, we will endeavour to maintain a quality library service across the borough.”

Authors Roald Dahl, David Walliams, Julia Donaldson and Jeff Kinney proved to be the most popular authors in 2016, while the Harry Potter books continue to be a big favourite.

Libraries in Cheshire East demonstrate value for money by their popularity and the high usage of the carefully selected resources, which are freely available to everyone in the borough.

For more information about library services in Cheshire East go to: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries/libraries.aspx