VISITOR numbers to Andover Library were down slightly last year.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by The Advertiser, revealed that visitor numbers to the library in 2016/2017 totalled 189,562 visits.

The 2017/18 year, saw a drop of 7.3 per cent, with 182,169 visitors.

However, the first quarter of the 2018/19 year saw an increase in visitors by two per cent.

Currently the library is undergoing a £316,000 renovation to improve the facility with limited opening hours in place until a full closure in December.

Changes include a larger children’s area, a new community room, accessible toilet and flexible spaces for groups, modernised furniture and energy efficient LED lighting.

The response to the FOI noted said: “Visitor numbers to libraries naturally fluctuate from year to year. With regards to Andover, it did show a slight increase of two per cent in visitor numbers [in the first quarter of 2018/19).”

It is expected that the modernisation may have a further effect on visitor numbers after its planned completion in early 2019.

County council executive member for recreation and heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward said: “Andover is the latest library to undergo refurbishment as part of our strategic investment to 2020, focused on offering all Hampshire residents modern, vibrant spaces to meet, read, learn and play in.

“After the refurbishment Andover library will have more versatile spaces which can be used by the local community and a larger children’s area so that we can offer even more activities for babies, toddlers and youngsters.

“We look forward to welcoming current as well as new customers through the doors once the refurbishment is complete.”

The Freedom of Information request response also gave an insight into the most commonly borrowed items in Andover.

Between April 2016 and March 2017, the most borrowed book from the Chantry Centre-based library was The Girl On The Train which saw 127 loans. Between April 2017 and March 2018, Dinosaurs was the most borrowed book, with 135 loans.

During the period between 2016 and 2018, less than five per cent of the items in the library’s catalogue showed as having zero loans.