Visitor numbers off the page as new look John Harvard library celebrates first year

The library reopened on 16 November 2009 following a 13 month building refurbishment programme which was funded by a £1.42m grant from the Big Lottery Fund Communities Libraries programme.

Over 246,000 people have visited the library in the year since it reopened and this is an increase of 17% on previous levels of usage.

Over 177,000 items of stock were borrowed over the past year and this is an increase of 75% on previous levels of usage. In total 9636 people have registered as library members.

The refurbishment of John Harvard library is just one part of a wider programme to modernise the way the council provides library services to its residents. Elsewhere, the council has:

• Put in place plans for a flagship community library at Canada Water, due to open in 2011
• Launched a brand new mobile library which visits 22 sites a week, and issues on average just over 100 books per day and around 100 DVDs a month
• Extended opening hours at Dulwich, Newington and Rotherhithe libraries.

Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture leisure, sport and the Olympics at Southwark Council, said: "It's great to see this flagship library, and others in Southwark, bucking the national trend and enjoying a rise in popularity. John Harvard library has put Southwark at the forefront of 21st century libraries and is a showcase for what libraries can offer. Its modern facilities, and welcoming environment, have made this project a success."

Debbie Pippard, Big Lottery Fund Head of London Region, said: "Libraries sit at the heart of our communities so are ideally placed to host a range of important local services. John Harvard library is one of 12 across London to receive Lottery funding to offer a range of services beyond their traditional role, including advice, education and training, all vital to local communities.　 We are delighted to see the changes the library have made and are sure that it will become a hub of activities in the area."

Further information

New and improved features include:

• longer opening hours
• blu-ray films and PS3 collection
• improved book stock and display space
• coffee and refreshment area
• increased　study space
• many more public access PCs
• public toilets and baby change facilities　

The public are able to enjoy new facilities such as self service kiosks which enable the public to issue and return books CDs and DVDs themselves, with no need to queue, a meetings room for hire, toilets, free access to wi-fi and pc’s, and a new collection of stock which includes the latest book titles, Blu ray films and PS3 games for hire.

Visitor numbers have risen from 209,678 to 246,201. Items issued have also risen to 177,423 from 100,825.

The Big Lottery Fund’s Community Libraries programme has awarded grants between £250,000 and £2 million to 58 library authorities across England. The funding will renovate, extend or build new libraries to create centres of community learning and offer a broader range of community activities.