Statistics from the Chartered Institute for Public Financing and Accounting (CIPFA) show that in 2015/2016, Royal Greenwich saw 2,408,866 visits to its libraries - the highest among London boroughs.

This means 8,766 library visits per 1,000 residents - the highest visit rate across the whole of the UK. 

The increase in numbers is due in part to:

• last year's opening of the state-of-the-art, multi-service Greenwich Centre
• the continued popularity of the Woolwich Centre Library, one of the most frequented libraries in the country
• continued expansion of self-service checkouts.

Other measures contributing to the increase in visits include:

• the roll-out of the successful Greenwich One Card
• first-class technology and computer facilities
• thriving activities for children
• the introduction of Amazon Lockers
• an increase in the number of books you can borrow.

'Investment in local libraries'

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Well-being said, "This is another landmark achievement for the Royal Borough’s libraries which continue to see increasing visitor numbers year on year.

"While other boroughs have cut library funding, our unprecedented investment of £12.2m in local libraries has delivered the very best reading and learning facilities for residents, especially children for whom it is so important to foster a love of reading and books from an early age.

"We aim to build on this success and ensure that our libraries remain at the heart of our communities for generations to come."