Sanderstead Library usage figures

Sanderstead Library – Busy and Getting Busier

When the Friends group visit the library for a ‘work party’ or a meeting it is always very heartening to see how well-used and highly valued our local library is.

Usage figures for the library show that footfall has been increasing steadily since last year. July was particularly busy with a 53% increase!

	2022	2023	%age increase
April	1,157	1,476	28
May	1,558	1,644	6
June	1,379	1,595	16
July	1,601	2,444	53

Attendance at specific events has also increased: up by 83%. With Rhymetimes being the most popular, with an increase of a whopping 169% compared with last year. After the closures due to lockdown and with new opening hours, it has taken local people a while to get used to when they can access the library, but it seems that people are now aware of the new opening times and are starting to make the most of what’s on offer.

April-June Quarter	2022	2023	%age increase
Overall event attendance	140	256	83
Rhymetimes (included in the above)	52	140	169

So far, 129 children have joined the Summer Reading Challenge at Sanderstead.

The efforts made by the Friends Group to keep the appearance of the grounds tidy and more welcoming seem to be appreciated by visitors, as is the input from the WI group who keep the rose beds looking good and Green Thumb who are looking after the lawns. People also welcome the repairs and maintenance to the building undertaken by the Council.

The more we use our local services, the easier it is for us to protect them and show the Council that they are valued and ought to be preserved.