Sefton residents save £5 million by swapping book shops for library loans
Sefton residents have collectively saved more than £5.3 million over the last 12 months by opting for library loans over retail purchases. New data released by Sefton Council reveals that the borough’s six libraries—located in Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Maghull, Netherton, and Southport—recorded nearly 600,000 book and audiobook loans in a single year.
Main takeaways for Sefton residents
- Massive Savings: Borrowers saved an estimated £5.3 million compared to the cost of buying books and newspapers.
- Southport Leads: Southport Library remains the busiest branch, accounting for 88,000 of the total loans.
- Digital Growth: Residents read 313,000 newspapers through digital library services last year.
- Peak Season: August is the busiest time for local libraries, with 63,000 items borrowed in a single month.
Southport emerges as the regional hub for reading
While the entire borough showed strong engagement, Southport Library outperformed other branches with 88,000 loans. The data highlights a specific seasonal trend, with August recording the highest volume of activity. This peak coincides with the school summer holidays, suggesting that families are heavily utilizing the service to keep children engaged during the break.
Across the network, which includes facilities at Bootle, Crosby, Formby, the Meadows in Maghull, and Netherton, the council recorded approximately 560,000 physical visits. This footfall demonstrates that libraries continue to function as essential physical spaces within the community, even as digital consumption rises.
| Library Metric | Reported Annual Figure |
|---|---|
| Total Books & Audiobooks Borrowed | 590,000 |
| Digital Newspapers Read | 313,000 |
| Estimated Resident Savings | £5.3 Million |
| Total Library Visits | 560,000 |
| Busiest Branch (Southport) | 88,000 Loans |
| Peak Month (August) | 63,000 Loans |
Digital shift sees newspaper readership rocket
The way residents consume information is changing. The library service reported that 313,000 newspapers were accessed over the year. Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, noted that the number of people using online newspaper services has “rocketed,” allowing residents to stay connected with global news for free.
The service currently provides access to over 7,000 daily newspapers and magazines from across the world. This digital offering is available for free to any resident with a library card, providing a significant financial buffer against the rising costs of private digital subscriptions and print media.
Community hubs offer more than just quiet reading rooms
Modern library usage in Sefton now extends far beyond traditional book lending. The council currently hosts over 1,300 community activities annually. These range from practical support groups like reading clubs and gardening circles to specialized sessions such as the Grief Choir and sensory play for children.
Cllr Liz Dowd emphasized the value for families, stating that the service is particularly beneficial for parents and carers aiming to foster reading habits in young children without the financial burden of purchasing new books. The inclusion of free high-speed Wi-Fi and computer access across all branches further positions these sites as vital infrastructure for those requiring digital tools for work or study.
While the £5.3 million saving figure is a projection based on retail prices, it underscores the substantial economic value the library network provides to the local economy. Residents can join the service for free at any branch to access standard print, large print, e-books, and talking books on CD.
To register for a library card, residents can visit their local branch in Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Maghull, Netherton, or Southport with proof of address.
Source: Sefton Council
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