TRIPS to the library and book borrowing in Hampshire are on the increase for the first time in 14 years, figures show.

The number of books borrowed at 51 county-run libraries is up by four per cent to 6.7 million in 2011-12, compared with the previous 12 months.

And the number of visitors has also increased by two per cent to 6.4 million over the same period.

Statistics supplied by the local authority showed the number of children’s books taken out from libraries across the county increased by 15 per cent over the last year to 2.4 million, while books borrowed by adults showed no change at 4.3 million.

The rise in borrowing comes despite the council reinstating fines for the late return of children’s books in September 2011 which critics said could put youngsters off reading. Figures also show the number of E-books issued increased from 31,927 in 2010-11 to 53,276 in 2011-12.

Winchester Discovery Centre remains the county’s most successful library, with 384,000 items borrowed by almost 500,000 people.