Woolwich is one of the most visited libraries

The Woolwich Centre library was the fourth most visited library in the whole of the UK and the second most visited in London during the past year.

The library also issued 178,964 books, the highest amount since 2013/14. Greenwich council said it had continued to spend millions of pounds on libraries – bucking the national trend of closures. Investment in stock, free WiFi, self-service facilities and the Greenwich One Card are making Royal Greenwich libraries more relevant than ever and meeting customer demand.

Last week Royal Greenwich approved plans to transform the current Plumstead library building into a multifunctional library, leisure, cultural and sports centre – making it accessible to all.

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Wellbeing, said: “Having the Woolwich Centre Library among one of the top four most visited in the UK is a fantastic achievement.

“We are ensuring that all our libraries, especially Woolwich, meet the demands of the digital age through top class ICT provision and technologies such as tablets, printers and scanners.”

Steve Hannen, Greenwich Leisure Limited’s Head of Service for the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “We are proud and happy to have the Woolwich Centre among the most visited libraries in the UK as it is such a welcoming place for the whole community to enjoy.

“The free access to WIFI, taking part in activities and events, doing homework or reading books play a big part in these record statistics.”