THE HIVE in Worcester has been named the most popular library in the West Midlands and in the top five in England.
The library issued 903,859 books during 2013/14 and received 978,199 visits new figures from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) have revealed.
This has placed it top in the region for both and second in the country for the number of books loaned and fourth in England for visit numbers, just two years after opening, beating both Oxford and Cambridge Central Libraries.
The Hive, a joint partnership between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council, was opened by The Queen in July 2012 and has so far seen more than two million books issued and more than two million visits.
Anne Hannaford, director of information and learning services at the University of Worcester, said: “The Hive is more than a library, not only does it have a quarter of a million books over five floors, but it is also home to the Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service.
“The variety of shared services brings so much more to the University and the community.
“The partnership is a brand new concept in libraries and improves services for everyone. The Hive is open for 95 hours a week and creates a whole new way of library users living and working together.
“It works so well because of our shared values, and The Hive’s position in this year’s CIPFA figures proves this.”
So far, The Hive has received or been shortlisted for 48 national and international awards.
