New Central Library welcomes its 100,000th visitor

Reading Central Library has welcomed its 100,000^th visitor at its new home in the Civic Centre with visits up nearly 80% since it opened.

The doors of the new library only opened to the public in June and there has been a big increase in visitor numbers and membership since the move from its former location in King’s Road.  

Tens of thousands of books have been borrowed, and children and young people have been making particularly good use of the new bright and spacious library.

Since the official opening of the new Central Library in Bridge Street on 18 June there has been a 79% increase in visitor numbers.

The library has also welcomed 2,700 new members, which is a 72% increase on its previous location.

Around 42,000 books have been issued to more than 4,200 individual members with around 50% of them being borrowed for children and young people.

The children’s library in the new location is double the size of the previous space with the books and storytelling area surrounded by a forest-themed scene.

There is also a new dedicated teen area with age-appropriate books and graphic novels, shared study spaces and relaxed seating.

With almost 100 work or study spaces there is a choice of traditional desks and chairs, partitioned desks or comfortable chairs and pods, most with their own power source.

There is access to free wi-fi and new technology to use and borrow, including free-to-use tablets and computers, as well as laptops that can be borrowed to take home.

The Square on the ground floor is a new community and events space and upstairs there is a new teaching and meeting room and local history library. Details on how to book are on the Council’s website: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/community-centres-for-hire/central-library-rooms-for-hire/.

Cllr Jacopo Lanzoni, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said:

“I am thrilled that the new Reading Central Library is being used and enjoyed by so many people.

“It is great to see the Civic Centre entrance buzzing with people and to have 100,000 visitors to the library in just four months is fantastic.

“The bright and modern library has so much to offer, whether you are looking for somewhere to work or study, to use a computer, enjoy a Rhymetime session, research some local history or to just sit and lose yourself in a book.

“The large and colourful children’s area has been very popular with families and it is wonderful that so many young people are experiencing the joy of books and visiting the library.

“If you have not yet visited the new Central Library I would heartily recommend that you do so.”

For information about Reading Libraries and how to join online, visit: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/.