A NEW survey has confirmed what many probably suspected, that Huddersfield Library is hugely popular.

In fact more than a million people went through the doors of the town’s main library in the past 12 months making it not just the most popular in Yorkshire but fifth in the country.

The numbers are all the more remarkable when you realise that those who took the top four places nationally included big cities such as Birmingham and Newcastle.

But those who use the library in Huddersfield know well that it bats above its weight in terms of service.

The staff are helpful and ever creative in thinking of new ways in which to use the building and to get the most out of its resources.

The doors have opened to all manner of groups, the library pursues partnerships successfully with many other agencies, puts on a well-attended programme of events and reaches out to other organisations in the town.

It is clearly doing what the customers want and making sure that Huddersfield Library is well-used and very much in touch with the community.

Some villages are lucky to have a similar standard of service from their local libraries but at least one has lost its service.

Surveys like this one from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy show that the figures can add up and that our libraries are well-loved, well-used and meeting changing needs. Long may it continue.