CENTRAL Library will remain closed as maintenance work continues on the building.

The library was initially closed for four weeks from March 24 as the essential maintenance works started.

However, St Helens Council has confirmed that following the completion of a maintenance survey, it has been established that building work will need to be undertaken at Central Library, meaning it will be closed for "longer than anticipated"

A date for the library's reopening is not yet known and specialist staff are working to establish exactly how long the library will need to be closed for.

Before the closure, all stock loaned out was issued with a return date of Tuesday, May 2 to ensure items were not due back until the library reopened.

Due to the continual closure, all items still on loan will be renewed one more time until Wednesday, May 31. This does not apply to any items borrowed from other libraries in the borough and customers may use any library in St Helens throughout this period.

Meanwhile, items can be returned to the book return box in the foyer of the Gamble Building, available every day apart from Saturdays and Sundays, or to any other St Helens library.

Renewals can be done on the council website, the Library app, by emailing centrallibrary@sthelens.gov.uk or by phoning 01744 676989.

During the closure Peter Street Library and Parr Library will be open for longer on certain days– as will Haydock Library and Thatto Heath Library on Saturdays.

Extended opening hours are as follows:

Peter Street Library, Peter Street: 

Wednesday – 10am to 5pm

Parr Library, Fleet Lane:

Monday – 10am to 7pm

Friday – 10am to 5pm

Haydock Library, Church Road:

Saturday – 10am to 4pm

Thatto Heath Library, Thatto Heath Road:

Saturday – 10am to 4pm