Footfall into Carlisle Library has seen a dramatic decline in recent years, mirroring the challenges faced by libraries nationwide.

Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request submitted by the News & Star highlights the drop in visitor numbers.

In 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, the library welcomed 271,010 visitors.

This figure has dwindled drastically, with only 119,641 visitors recorded in 2022.

Our readers discussed this:

Gerry said: "Use it or lose it springs to mind."

One user said: "One hopes that with the promised forthcoming student-city, the library will become a thriving hub."

Sandra Kendal said: "Whenever I go into the library I always think there is quite a lot of people in all using the different facilities. Children at the bottom, adults using the area to work, people on the screen doing jigsaws and people socialising, great facility in the middle of the town."

Serene Carey McGeoghegan said: "I used to love going to the library it meant you could switch off to the outside world without even picking up a book. Nice and warm and quiet whispers. When the children were small we’d stay there some time and was our favourite place. I have been unable to go for a number of years but on my bucket list now which I didn’t know I had."

John Fawcett said: "I used to use the library quite a lot when younger, but now I just buy books, read them and keep them. Any reference material I need can be found on the internet."