Sophie Pullan loves taking her children to the local library.

“I began taking them when they were very small,” she says. “They really liked using their library cards to take out books, and enjoyed story-telling sessions and creative events where they could draw pictures.”

Now Sam is 11 and Jack ten, they still visit the library near their home in Baildon, and occasionally borrow books from Shipley Library, too.

“It is good for the children to be able to use books for things like homework, rather than use the internet,” says Sophie, a childcare tutor.

“Books are tactile and nice to hold and feel. It keeps the ‘realness’ alive rather than looking at a computer screen or scanning pages. I also recommend libraries to the students I teach.”

As Sam and Jack grow up, Sophie will continue to encourage them to use the library, but sadly, across the UK, fewer people are doing so.

Libraries used to be the cornerstone of many British towns and cities, but – despite well-documented protests over library closures – it seems our love affair with them is close to becoming a thing of the past. New research reveals that the majority of people never use their local library.

The study by Bookmark Your Library, a website promoting the work and diverse range of facilities and services available in libraries around the country, found that 60 per cent of us never use the facility.

Almost half of those surveyed believed that libraries were not needed as much as they were a decade ago due to technological advances. More and more people are using the internet, and electronic devices such as tablets and Kindles.

It found that although almost three-quarters of us have been to our local library at some point in our lives, on average, the last time we visited was 17 months ago.

Sophie feel that libraries have so much to offer, and that people are missing out by not going. “There is so much going on, and libraries also have a nice calmness – I really enjoy going.”

In years gone by, the local library was much-loved by all generations, but now it seems the biggest driving force is being a parent like Sophie, with 14 per cent saying they last visited to encourage their child to read. A further eight per cent went to help a child with a school project.

Despite libraries having to change with the times and offer new services, these changes appear to be unknown to a large proportion of the country, with only a third knowing that their local library offers reading groups, and 60 per cent unaware they offer music rental, something which was introduced years ago.

Yet in Bradford, there is good news. Two years ago, Bradford Council looked at closing five libraries, but four have remained open thanks to the works of volunteers within the communities. A review of the whole library service, which cost more than £7 million last year, is due to report in the spring. Bradford Central Library is currently undergoing refurbishment.

Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for employment, skills and culture says: “Books are important, but it is not just about books. Activities and outreach is important. We run activities like work clubs to help people find jobs.”

Last summer, a reading challenge encouraging children to enjoy books saw a 40 per cent increase in participation on the previous year. “It is about giving people that love of reading,” says Coun Hinchcliffe.

She adds: “Libraries have changed – they offer internet access, they are meeting places, and hold activities relevant to the community. Our review is asking people what they want from a library and will influence how they develop.”

When threatened with closure, Addingham Library was taken over by the local community and has seen a steady increase in users. “After carrying out research within the village to find out what people wanted, and who used the library, we now cater for genres that they want to borrow,” says Adrian Naylor, Independent Councillor for Craven.

“As well as having a good, up-to-date selection of books, we are looking at ways in which the library can be better used by different groups in the community. We created a storytime for younger children, helped by an actor who volunteered. This proved very popular, and we are looking at Wi-Fi access which would attract computer clubs and photographic clubs for instance. Community groups can advertise events here.”

He adds: “I see a future for libraries. You have to adapt to change, and offer people things they will enjoy and want to get involved with.”