VISITORS to libraries in East Yorkshire rose by five per cent last year and the number of books borrowed has also increased.

Figures for the county showed 1,211,188 people used its libraries during 2010/11, while items issued rose by two per cent to 1,552,251, bucking a national trend which has seen falls in both areas.

The year also saw 483,200 visits to online services such as the libraries’ web catalogue and digital reference collection.

Coun Jane Evison, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for rural issues and cultural services, said: “The figures highlight that the excellent range of services on offer are well-used and are becoming even more popular, year on year.”