Dundee’s Central Library attracted quarter of a million more visitors than Glasgow or Edinburgh, despite a national trend of declining visits and funding cuts nationally.
The library was named busiest library in Scotland in 2013/14 after members of the public made a total of 769,386 visits.
The figures show the service, which is attached to the Wellgate shopping centre, out-performed both Glasgow and Edinburgh by more than 250,000.
Glasgow’s Mitchell Library saw 504,447 visits while Edinburgh’s Central Library had 496,339.
Dundee Central also did better than most of the top performing libraries in England and Wales.
The figures, from the Charter Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, also show that overall visits to libraries UK-wide are going down, although Scotland and Ireland have seen the least decline.
Across all libraries, except in the South West and Wales, spending has fallen. In Scotland expenditure has fallen by 0.7%, from £109,696 to £108,898.
Lord Provost Bob Duncan, chairman of the Leisure and Culture Dundee board, which runs the city’s libraries and museums, said it was no surprise that Dundee had done so well as it boasts a variety of resources.
He said: “We are delighted at the news that Dundee’s Central Library is once again the busiest public library in Scotland and the seventh busiest across the UK.
“Staff in all our libraries work very hard to make sure that the services we provide meet the needs of our local communities and keep our customers coming back.”
He said that as well as being a destination for books and author events, the library also provides services for babies, children and families as well as access to technology and the internet.
Far from resting on their laurels, though, Mr Duncan said this year is going see even more going on.
He added: “We have an exciting year ahead, with the launch of a new area which will provide support and information for people with dementia and their carers.
“We also have plans for a hi-tech lab where people will get access to the latest digital prototyping skills and be able to use a wide range of equipment such as 3D printers and electronic embroidery machines.
“This month we even have top author Peter May coming to visit Central Library on Wednesday January 21 and that will be a big draw for his fans, so there is a lot to look forward to.”