A new scheme could create a "21st century" library service for people in St Helens after demand surged during the pandemic.
During a St Helens Borough Council cabinet meeting today, May 26, a public consultation seeking to get people's views on how they use libraries and how services are delivered was given the green light.
The cabinet meeting heard during the pandemic the way in which people used libraries changed dramatically, and that services "must transform if they are able to survive".
Physical loans were significantly affected, but digital loans increased in the borough as people found themselves with more time on their hands.
Today, a five-year draft strategy and a process of public consultation for a 12-week period was approved by the council.
The local authority now want to hear from members of the public about how their library services can be improved, and are seeking to communicate with the community and partners to hear ideas on what people want the service to be.
The St Helens Borough Library Strategy 2021-2026 brings forward a vision for the future delivery of a 21st century service which would respond to the needs of library users and embrace community involvement.
Councillor Anthony Burns, cabinet member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, told the cabinet today that library staff throughout the pandemic demonstrated " ingenuity and flexibility."
He said: "They went above and beyond to make sure customers had access to books and resources through the home delivery library service, the schools library service and provision of online activity and the click and collect service.
"In many ways, the pandemic accelerated changes which had been underway for some time."
The cabinet heard that during the covid period, the service saw a 133% increase in us of digital e books, home delivery increased by 81% in 302 online events were ran.
Cllr Burns said the council must make significant budget savings in the next year as financial support from central government has reduced.
He said: "£30 million pounds has to be identified this year alone and to do this we can no longer tinker at the edges. We must insure that our services transform if they are to survive.
"The strategy aims to provide support to communities most in need, whilst ensuring everyone has access to the service to a variety of new and exciting delivery models.
"Working with residents, with parish councils, with community groups, businesses and others we aim to make sure we have an innovative, modern, sustainable and accessible library service, providing support where it's needed and opportunity and access for all."
Cllrs Burns also said the strategy will improve library buildings, see residents more involved with the running of libraries and the St Helens Archive Service become nationally accredited.
Join our St Helens news, community and Facebook group here.
Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said the new strategy and five year plan is an opportunity to review the service and make sure it is delivered in a way not just achieve a balanced budget, but meeting change and demand of users.
He said: "The strategy does propose significant change to the service but we all need to be clear that what we are agreeing here today is a public consultation.
"The way people use library services has changed a lot in recent years, loans of physical books are decreasing year on year where the number of digital loans has increased.
"Even before the pandemic our libraries were already offering a huge amount of services online and throughout covid this has increased dramatically. I think it’s fair to say that's been really well received"
A council report said: "Financial support from central government for essential services in St Helens borough has shrunk from £127m a year in 2010 to just £13m this year."
As part of the strategy, the council will conduct a 12-week public consultation starting on Monday, June 7, allowing residents to give their views.
An online consultation will go live that same day, with paper copies available in libraries.
