LIBRARIES in Bolton are receiving fewer visits.

In the past six years, visits have dropped by 20 per cent to 1,315, 000 a year -- despite the introduction of thousands of music CDs, videos and computer facilities.

At the same time, spending on books and the hours of opening have both decreased.

The Audit Commission's latest report, Building Better Library Services, says that libraries across the country are losing touch with people.

Nationally, visits have dropped by 17 per cent and loans by a quarter. Concerns were also raised about the quality and range of books.

About 40 per cent of people who go to the library for a specific book are not able to find it, the report says.

Bolton is currently trying to increase its range of items. There are 14 branch libraries, one mobile and a main central library.

They currently hold 177.5 books, CDs or videos per 1,000 people but this is behind the national target of 216.

In 2000-2001, the council spent £429,000 on books and Bolton now has 1.8 million of them.

Labour councillor Laurie Williamson has taken over the cultural services job on the Bolton Council Executive and has the task of looking at the library service. He wants the libraries to becoming thriving once again.

He said: "Libraries have suffered from not being a council priority. Now they do not meet the standards expected by users, or indeed the Government and most members of the council, in a number of ways.

"The number and geographical distribution of our libraries, however, compares favourably with most authorities.

"We do have a good number of libraries, but we need to make the most of them."

LIBRARY FACTFILE:

Bolton Council's libraries have 102,754 members and have about 1,315,000 visitors a year.

More than two million items are borrowed each year and there are 1.8 million books. People can borrow up to 10 books at at time. The national average is eight.