The library where no books were borrowed for a whole year

Not a single book was taken out of a pop-up library for a whole, staff have revealed.

The library in question was in Barrow Island, Cumbria.

It had been installed at a local primary school.

Although 18 books were technically loaned out by library staff, this only happened because staff were checking IT machinery.

The local authority is know looking at a new approach for library services, including getting library staff out into the community more.

They are also looking at providing story sessions specifically for children, author visits and reading groups.

A report submitted to councillors, read: ‘During the year 2017-18, there have been a total of 18 book issues recorded through the self-service machine.

‘When analysed, these all relate to technicians testing or working on the ICT system.’

Tracey Ingham, Cumbria County Council’s area support manager for Barrow, said a different approach was needed.

‘The proposal is to move away from the static library in the school and do more outreach,’ she said.

Adults would be engaged in library services by a series of author visits, coffee mornings and reading groups, councillors said.

Figures showed that in just two months, 844 adults and 538 young people were ‘actively engaged’ by library services across the Barrow area.

Councillors have agreed to invest £5,400 in Barrow Central Library for ‘autism-friendly’ services for children and adults.

Cllr Anne Burns said: ‘This is going to mean a lot to people who use the service.’