The Marmite effect of Thornton Heath library has proved a tasty delight with local users. Figures announced at this week’s meeting of Croydon Council show visits have risen enormously since the refurbished building re-opened in the summer.

Library visits for July and August were 36,879 - up by 225% on the same period last year when the library was in temporary accommodation and 49% better than in 2008 when the library was last open on the same site.

Book borrowing has also soared - up by 143% on last year and 31% more than in 2008.

Another sign of approval came in registration of new members with 1,411 names being logged in the first couple of months - up by 482% and 273% respectively.

Councillor Sara Bashford, cabinet member for culture and sport admitted that the design of the library’s frontage had, just like Marmite, provoked a ‘love or hate’ response but it had certainly made a mark in terms of user popularity.

“The new exterior of the library with its pavilion and eye catching statement letters declaring LIBRARY is attracting a large number of new users and visitors.”

Some £50,000 was invested in new book stock when the library re-opened and since the summer a range of additional services and activities have been introduced including: - a community room with kitchen facilities, - an ICT learning room with nine OPCs and a daily training programme, - an IT suite with 12 PCs for public use, - London’s first Headspace library especially for teenagers, - a homework help club, - a garden and decking area for outside events, - refreshment facilities.

Not only is there a new community steering group to help shape the direction of services in the new library but a volunteer scheme has also begun to focus on future developments such as after school clubs, activities for older people, reading mentors for youngsters, ICT help, family learning and even gardening.

Information supplied by Croydon Council press office