More than 2,000 new members sign up at Oxfordshire County Library

Oxfordshire County Library has signed up more than 2,000 new members since opening its doors in December.

The new-look facility has attracted an influx of first-time visitors - including many young families keen to check out the bigger and better children's library. Others have returned to the library after years without borrowing a book.

With 70 public computers, free wifi and an attractive new layout, it’s proving a big hit with more than just book lovers. As part of the regenerated Westgate, it has also become a popular stop-off for shoppers keen to see what the new facility has to offer.

The county council's Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: "It's great to see people either becoming a member for the first time or coming back to us after many years without setting foot in a library.

"That's obviously the benefit of having something new and different to offer our visitors - as well as being a fully integrated part of the new Westgate."

'Classic example"

The library was heralded a "classic example of how to do it" by Libraries Minister Michael Ellis MP at its official opening event on Thursday (22 Feb).

Mr Ellis said: "We want to see libraries thrive, not just survive, and this is an example of a library that is clearly thriving."

Libraries Minister Michael Ellis MP gives a speech at the official opening of Oxfordshire County Library