VISITOR NUMBERS RISE AS NEW YORK EXPLORE PROVES A BIG HIT WITH RESIDENTS (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

VISITOR NUMBERS RISE AS NEW YORK EXPLORE PROVES A BIG HIT WITH RESIDENTS

July 28, 2010 12:00 AM

Councillor Nigel Ayre

York's newly refurbished central library, York Explore, is proving a big hit with residents as new figures show membership and visitor numbers have both seen a significant increase since the refurbishment.

Weekly visitor numbers exceeded 10,000 for the first time earlier this month and have remained above 10,000 for each of the last 3 weeks. Membership has also increased with more than 2000 new members signing up since York Explore reopened at the end of May.

The new children's area has also proven popular and has inspired children to take out more books than in previous years. The number of children's fiction books issued in June was up 74% on previous years, while children's non fiction issues increased by 24%.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion, Councillor Nigel Ayre said he was pleased with the initial success of York Explore.

He said, "It is great to see that York Explore is proving so popular with people. Following the refurbishment York Explore is now a much brighter and more inviting space for people to spend time enjoying what the centre has to offer."

"As well as the improved environment York Explore now also offers 20,000 more books and a range of other facilities including modern learning rooms equipped with the latest learning technologies, a café and a new flexible ICT and media learning centre."

Councillor Ayre said he hoped a wide range of activities planned for the summer would attract even more people to York Explore.

He said, "This summer will see York Explore host events for this year's Big City Read and the summer learning challenge for children and young people as well as a number of other interesting and exciting events."

"I am sure everyone who attends these events will see what a fantastic facility York Explore is and will be encouraged to come back again and again."

The successful first few weeks at York Explore follows on from the success of the Explore centres at Acomb and New Earswick, which have seen their usage rate more than double since they were reopened as Explore centres.