Visitors to the county’s libraries fell by six per cent last year amid declining figures nationwide - but council bosses say it is not all doom and gloom for Bucks bookworms.

Overall, footfall figures for Buckinghamshire County Council’s libraries were down from 1,658,769 in 2013 to 1,560,239 in 2014 - a decrease of 98,530.

Marlow’s library saw six per cent fewer visitors than in 2013, and High Wycombe’s town centre location suffered a drop of seven per cent in physical visits.

However, against the trend of fewer people perusing the shelves there has been a steep rise in online usage, with the growth in eBooks, eMagazines and eAudio.

And David Jones, head of Buckinghamshire's Library Services, says an increase in residents using computers to access the internet - many for the first time - shows the community buildings are still relevant in the digital age.

He said: "We know that libraries are highly regarded by residents and that we can make a real difference to their lives.

"We're responding to changing demands from people who want to use libraries in much more flexible ways. And that's good for all our residents."

Online reservations more than doubled in the past two years, with 6,292 items downloaded in December alone.

Last year, there was an almost 50 per cent increase in visitors using computers with help from library staff - up to 12,000 a month in 2014, compared with an average 8,000 the previous year.

Marlow library user Susan Waddington told the Free Press she would find it hard to live without the service: She said: "I use the library to check my emails and browse the internet. I’m also a big reader and writer so I come here to do research. If it wasn’t for the library it’d cost me over £300 a year to buy the books.

"It’s very important to me. There are no internet cafes anymore and it saves me a fortune as I don’t have to get broadband.

"Plus book are so tactile, I much prefer reading them to using a Kindle."

Some libraries have developed partnerships with other agencies and community organisations.

Thames Valley Police set up an office in Great Missenden library in spring 2014 and at Burnham library in the autumn.

Wycombe District Council has taken the decision to move tourist information services in Marlow and Princes Risborough to the libraries.

And although the share plans drew criticism that sharing services would stretch the libraries’ facilities too far, BCC cabinet member for community engagement Martin Phillips said it is crucial for libraries to evolve as community hubs.

"The vision is to go further and transform our libraries into a network of busy hubs that deliver the face of the council and represent the heart of the community.

"This opens the way to co-locate council and community services, make safe spaces for local activities, provide a signpost to a range of local services and contribute a crucial role in helping people access digital services."

Despite the drop in visits, so far there is no suggestion of any closures in community libraries.

Bill Hamilton, a user of both High Wycombe and Marlow libraries, said he would gladly give more to keep the level of services on offer.

He said: "I think libraries are very important. If we were given a choice of spending a few pounds more on council tax to keep services then I definitely would."