A library in Cumbria has been forced to launch an outreach programme after not one single book was taken out in the last year.
Eighteen books were registered as checked out in the system – but only because IT staff were making sure that the machine still worked.
Now staff at Barrow Central Library, on Barrow Island, are creating plans to get out and about in the community more.
Ideas for improving engagement include providing story sessions for children, author visits and reading groups.
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The library is currently installed in Barrow Island Primary School and has sporadic opening hours.
According to the BBC, Tracey Ingham, the Cumbria County Councils area support manager for Barrow, told the committee: The proposal is to move away from the static library in the school and do more outreach.
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Library staff will now try and visit other community centres on Barrow Island each week as part of the new programme.
While councillors agreed to invest £5,400 towards autism-friendly services for children and adults to use.
As a whole, Barrow Islands libraries were used by 844 adults and 538 young people in two months.
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Earlier this year it was revealed that spending on libraries across the UK had plummeted, with visits from the public are on the decline.
In 2016, a Taking Part study, commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, found that British library use had fallen by 30% in the last ten years.
The greatest fall in library usage was seen among 16 to 24-year-olds, with 51% of the age group using the services in 2005 compared to 25.2% in 2015.
Thriller author James Patterson told the Guardian in October that the problem lies with creating successful marketing campaigns for libraries.
Free books! Imagine in the mall if there was a free store, He said.
You wouldnt be able to get in the place.
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