Boost for learning as library numbers soar in Stoke-on-Trent

The city’s libraries have experienced an increase in the number of visits during the start of this financial year.

Compared with the same period last year between April and June, library visits have increased this year from 60,694 to 64,186. This amounts to an increase of 6% and means the city council is on track to achieve our annual target of 250,000 visits in 2024/25. 

Since Covid-19, libraries have continued to see increases in visits year on year, with 241,322 visits in 2022/23 rising to 248,276 visits last year. 

Councillor Alastair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate services, said: “It is great news to see that library visits in Stoke-on-Trent have continued to increase this year, matching the upward trend we have seen since coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“Our libraries form an important part of the city’s fabric, as they are places of community and play a fundamental part in people’s learning, with the various resources and services they provide. 

“With the reopening of Longton Library in April and the exciting funding the libraries have been granted, I hope to see the increase in visits continue throughout the year and encourage residents to go and enjoy the library space.” 

The city’s libraries will continue to improve thanks to various funding grants we have been awarded. 

This includes funding from the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund to set up support groups targeting lonely people and from the Libraries Improvement Fund to improve digital facilities.  

For more information about our libraries, visit https://www.stoke.gov.uk/libraries