BLOCKBUSTER DECLINE IN LIBRARY BOOKS

10.06.43pm GMT Sat 25th Feb 2006

The number of books in Hampshire libraries has fallen by one and a half million.

Hampshire Liberal Democrats are demanding an investigation into cutbacks in the county's library service.

The number of books in our libraries have fallen by one and a half million over the last ten years. Hampshire today has the lowest number of books available for loan per head of population of any English County.

Lib Dem Libraries spokesman Councillor Peter Chegwyn is demanding a review of Hampshire's performance rating in light of the figures. Cllr Chegwyn is questioning why the Audit Commission - the Government watchdog for Councils - rates Hampshire among the best in terms of its library service performance.

Hampshire failed five out of ten of the Public Library Service Standards, including those for opening hours (missed by 30%), for library visits (missed by 17%) and for additions of new items (missed by 14%). The measure of cost per visit is also poor.

But it is the fall in the number of books which is truly shocking. The County's book stock has fallen from 3,289,292 to 1,775,726 - a drop of almost half.

"It's time the Tories stopped trying to pretend our libraries are perfect when simple statistics show they are not. Hampshire is bottom of the libraries league and that's something the Conservatives should be ashamed of," said Cllr Chegwyn