Llanelli Library has hit the headlines after being declared the busiest centre in Wales.
Over half a million books borrowed in 2014 makes it the fourth busiest centre in the UK and the busiest in Wales.
According to Womens Weekly research 601,182 books were issued at the refurbished Vaughan Street library in 2014.
Elsewhere in Wales, Cardiff Central Library made 581, 779 loans in 2014.
Significant investment in IT has enabled library services to become more accessible to the public with new, high speed PC’s, Wi-Fi including access to social networking (Twitter and Face book), downloadable books, Net Library – e audio books, News Bank- e access to over 20 Welsh and over 350 UK daily newspapers, Oxford Grove Art and Music being available from the libraries web site to name just a few.
Self service points are also being looked at with terminals planned for all centres in the New Year.
The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The amount of resources and information available is huge and together with the commitment of the library staff it’s hardly surprising that Llanelli has hit the high note in terms of book issues. For many years libraries have been a free source of knowledge, information and support for local communities and the service currently has 51 per cent of the county’s population signed up as members.
“To be the busiest in Wales and fourth in the UK is a huge achievement for Carmarthenshire and reflects the investment and commitment to this service.”
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