Killamarsh Library, which we run, moved from its former base in Sheffield Road to the North East Derbyshire District Council-run Killamarsh Active (previously Killamarsh Sports Centre) on Stanley Street last October.
The move to the £1.9 million refurbished sports centre was seen as the perfect fit as we believed its new base, which provides bright, modern facilities on the ground floor of the sports centre next to the café area, would lead to an increase in visitors.
The move has exceeded all expectations however, with latest figures revealing that 103 new members registered at the library in the 6 months since its move, compared to 29 in the same period the year before – a 255% increase.
In comparison, across all Derbyshire libraries, membership has seen an increase of 13.5% in the same period.
Over the same period, visitor numbers have also increased at Killamarsh Library by 23.5%.
Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Barry Lewis said:
“It’s really positive to see membership rising across all Derbyshire libraries. However, the increase at Killamarsh library really stands out as something special.
“We are certain this is due to its new location which has opened it up to a whole new audience, attracting people who may not otherwise have come to the library at its previous base.
“It’s extremely positive news and makes all the hard work of moving the library well worth it, as well as being a shining example of partners working together to the benefit of the whole community.”
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