A VISIT to the local library is more important to people in the region than a pint at the pub or a night out at the cinema.

Nationwide research released yesterday by the organisers of the Library and Information Show, to be held next month, found that people in the North-East rate only schools and hospitals as more important to community life.

The research also found that, despite being so highly valued as a local service, many people think libraries could be improved.

The priority for most library visitors is being able to buy tea or coffee, followed by 24-hour access, video conferencing and creches.

Some have won praise for their services, such as Durham's flagship Clayport library, which contains a technology area, with 22 computers, digital media equipment and a sounds and vision library. It also has a designated children's area.

Arts Minister Tessa Blackstone said: "Public libraries in the 21st Century should be open when people want to use them, including evenings and weekends, and offer family- friendly facilities."

A spokeswoman for the library show, between April 30 and May 1 at ExCel, in London, said many people in the region had an unfavourable image of libraries.

She said: "The image of a typical North-East librarian seems stuck in the past, with one third of people we asked thinking that 'twinset and pearls' best describes the profile of their local librarian, and 'beardy-weirdy' was also given as a description by many people."