Membership across all Stoke-on-Trent Libraries has decreased since before Covid-19 despite council funding. 

A Freedom of Information request submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council has revealed that the total number of active borrowers across all Stoke-on-Trent Council libraries in the financial year 2024/25 has decreased by 38 per cent since 2019/20.

Membership in 2024/25 was 15,455 compared to 24,960 in 2019/20 just before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Bentilee Library saw the largest decline of 52 per cent from 1,567 members to 758. 

City Central and Tunstall also witnessed large decreases of 45 per cent and 42 per cent respectively. 

This follows several investments and schemes from the council to improve library facilities in the city and boost engagement. 

City Central Library was relocated to Two Smithfield, Hanley in 2023 after a £1.5 million investment, Longton Library secured a £300,000 investment from Arts Council England in 2023, and Tunstall Library moved to Tunstall Town Hall along with a children's centre in 2022 as part of a £4 million project. 

These projects led to the libraries being temporarily closed, which the council explained may have impacted active borrower figures. 

Tunstall was closed for one month in August 2022, City Central was closed for three months in 2023 (August to October), and Longton was closed for one month for refurbishment in March 2024 and for other additional shorter periods throughout the year. 

Moreover, membership in every library except City Central has shrunk since 2023/24. 

Meir Library was the most affected, having decreased by 54 per cent from 1,755 members in 2023/24 to 802 in 2024/25. 

The only library to grow in membership over this period was City Central Library which saw a 15 per cent increase from 4,577 to 5,242. 

Data from the Office of National Statistics shows that library usage in Stoke-on-Trent is lower than the average in England.   

The percentage of adults who reported visiting a public or mobile library in person in the last 12 months in 2023/24 was 16 per cent in Stoke-on-Trent compared to the national average of 25 per cent.  

Local members of the public explained that the ease of accessing books and resources online means that they are less likely to use their local library, although groups and events may encourage them to attend. 

Alex Holmes, 36, from Tunstall said: "When we used to go when we were a bit younger, there wasn't much internet out there and you couldn't get everything that you wanted to read in a book online. 

"And a lot of people prefer watching films now to reading, I think it is just society changing with technology. 

"Event days will bring more attention to it but I think generally people don't want to go to the library just to sit and read a book when you could do that at home."  

Another Stoke-on-Trent resident, 23-year-old Jacob Wood, said: "For me it's simply a case of forgetting it's there. 

"I have never been pointed in the direction of a library other than to print things off. 

"I would be happy to go to social events about things I would be interested in but in terms of resources like books, I think it is easier for me to go online." 

City Central Library was the only library to increase in membership from 2023/24 to 2024/25 (image via Nub News)

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "Library membership numbers have been gradually increasing since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"This was an unprecedented event, which had a major impact on library services across the country and has changed how people use public services, including libraries. 

"Library membership figures have to be viewed in a rounded way, as there are various performance indicators when it comes to viewing these figures." 

The council explained that some library members only use online services, while other activities and services can be accessed without a library membership. 

Some of the activities include bereavement support, local history groups, mindful colouring and early years activities to support language development. 

Tunstall Library moved to Tunstall Town Hall along with a children's centre in 2022 (image via Nub News)

The council also explained that library opening hours have been reduced since the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting the number of visitors. 

In April 2024, the council reduced the opening hours at its libraries from 185 to 148 hours per week as part of budget cuts. 

They are now hoping to increase opening hours through volunteer schemes and expand the Homelink service, which delivers books to residents with mobility issues. 

The spokesperson added: "Libraries are a vital part of Stoke-on-Trent's fabric and are an important community space where all residents are welcome. 

"They provide opportunities to meet new people, take part in activities and events, pursue interests and get advice."

They stressed the importance of libraries in tackling loneliness through local support groups, helping residents access books and Wi-Fi for free during a cost-of-living crisis and helping those with mobility issues access libraries through the Homelink service. 

The spokesperson said: "The city council is committed to building empowered communities and creating a healthier standard of living for all residents and libraries are so important to carrying out this work, as they foster connection, help with social isolation and provide opportunities for everyone, no matter their interests." 

Stoke Library membership has decreased by 14 per cent since 2019/20 (image via Nub News)

The Head of Literacy at a local primary school explained the importance of fostering enthusiasm for reading outside of school for children in Stoke-on-Trent. 

She said: "We see a huge difference between the children that read at home and the children that don't. 

"The children that read at home seem to have more of a love of reading, which is important because it means they don't see it as a chore. 

"We also find that they are generally better readers because they have had more practice." 

The literacy lead explained that the school encourages students to visit their local library, but not many children use the library outside of school. 

She added: "A lot of our children don't tend to go to libraries much. 

"We try to promote it as much as possible, for example in the last academic year, we took each year group to the library and provided each child with a library card.

"We also try to include things going on at the local library in our newsletter because there are so many lovely things going on, but parents aren't necessarily aware. 

"Some parents might not think it's necessary to go to a library. You can access lots of books and reading games online and many of our parents enjoy bringing their child to the school's book fair, even though they have to pay for that." 

Longton Library has benefitted from a £300,000 investment from Arts Council England (image via Nub News)

The National Literacy Trust also stressed the importance of access to reading for young people in Stoke-on-Trent and stressed the importance of libraries as community spaces.

Jason Vit, Assistant Director of Place-Based Working at the National Literacy Trust, says: "Access to books is strongly linked to both reading enjoyment and reading skill, and libraries remain the most accessible hubs for fostering that connection.

"As free community spaces, they not only put books into the hands of people who might not otherwise afford them, but also reading in many other forms and formats along with literacy support, employment advice, and guidance to essential local services.

"Libraries are not a luxury – they are a vital community asset. 

"In the National Year of Reading 2026, libraries will be at the heart of the campaign to engage readers of all ages.

"Key moments such as the Summer Reading Challenge for children and World Book Night for adults will showcase the crucial role libraries play in inspiring a lifelong love of reading." 

The council explained that they have several plans to "boost membership numbers" in libraries across the city. 

My First Library Card launched in September 2025 to encourage families to sign their children up as library members and the Stoke 100 Reads booklists in partnership with the National Literacy Trust is being renewed. 

Events and activities are also being planned to celebrate the National Year of Reading 2026 when the council also hopes to build on the success of this year's Summer Reading Challenge which saw a 57 per cent increase in participation. 

The council also explained that investment in Stoke-on-Trent libraries will continue with funding from the Library Improvement Fund and the Know Your Neighbourhood scheme. 

All percentages rounded to the nearest whole number.