Harrogate Library topped a list of the most used libraries in North Yorkshire last year.

According to figures published by North Yorkshire Council, there were 237,100 books and e-books taken out at the library on Victoria Avenue during the 2022/23 financial year as well as 177,629 visits by residents.

The figures show a big jump from the previous two years, which were disrupted by covid lockdowns and restrictions.

In 2020/21, the library had 47,809 visits and in 2021/22 there were 122,409.

Last year, Harrogate Library had more than 50% the number of visitors than the county’s second most popular library, which was Scarborough with 114,829 visits.

Visitor numbers at other libraries in the former Harrogate district area include Knaresborough with 110,191, Ripon with 73,428 and Starbeck with 18,676.

Embsay-with-Eastby Community Library was the least used library in North Yorkshire last year with 2,841 visits, however the volunteer-run library near Skipton is only open nine hours a week.

In 2015, the running of 31 libraries in the county was handed to volunteers in the face of mounting financial pressures brought on by austerity.

In this model, the council’s library service continues to provide the infrastructure including books and public IT, as well as some paid staff support to ensure consistency across the county.

The community libraries account for just under 40% of active library users and deliver on average 50% of the total business for book lending and computer access.

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