Its annual report also shows that bookings of the library’s community makerspace nearly doubled on the previous year – likely due to the refurbishment of the ‘Fab Lab’ – while demonstrating that islanders engage more with their local library, on average, than people in the UK.
‘2025 was a remarkable year for the library, and we’re delighted to see such strong figures across the service. It’s part of a consistent pattern of rising usage in recent years, and it underlines the essential role that the library continues to play at the heart of island life,’ said chief librarian Cornelia James.
‘There’s a story behind every visit – whether it’s a child discovering a love of reading, someone learning a new skill in the Fab Lab, a student finding a quiet place to study, or someone looking for their next great read.’
Last year’s footfall rose to 162,825, marking a 25-year high, and visitor numbers are up 15% on a decade ago. Guernsey’s per capita library visits are also notably high at 2,505 library visits per 1,000 people, next to the UK’s average of 1,449 visits per 1,000 people.
Nearly 150,000 books were borrowed, which means that the island saw 2,308 book loans per 1,000 people, compared to an average of 2,043 per 1,000 people in the UK.
The library also welcomed 2,346 new members last year – a third more than in 2024.
‘We’re working hard to build on this momentum in 2026, as the library partners with organisations across the island to promote the National Year of Reading,’ said Ms James.
‘We’re determined to make the most of this fantastic opportunity to inspire people to read more this year.’
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