ST HELENS Council is reviewing its library service, as a result of 'unprecedented' budget cuts.

According to a council statement, the authority is reviewing how it provides a number of its services including the borough's libraries due to 'unprecedented financial challenges'.

Residents, and people who work and study in the town, are being invited to have their say on how service could be run in the future.

The review, which starts at midday today (Thursday, March 9), will last for six weeks until Friday, April 21.

Suggestions provided within the survey will form part of the proposals made to the council's cabinet. The proposals, once agreed at cabinet, will be available for further public consultation at a later date.

Councillor Jeanie Bell, St Helens cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "The council remains fully committed to retaining a high quality library service, but we must look at how we will continue to offer a service that is right for local people, will serve us well in the years ahead, and provide value for money, especially in times of reducing budgets.

"We want to have a library service that is dynamic, exciting and meets the needs of our communities and most importantly, we want our community to help shape that transformation."

The library service review will examine how people currently use the library - what they like or dislike about the service, and how they would like to use it in the future.

They also want to know about residents' internet usage in order to better understand the way people obtain information and how libraries could support this.

The survey is open to both library users and non-users who live, work or study in St Helens.

Cllr Bell added: "I urge everyone living, working or studying in St Helens, whether a library user or not, to get involved and take the time to complete this survey."

Have your say by visiting sthelens.gov.uk/librarysurvey2017. Alternatively, pick up a hard copy of the survey from any of the 13 libraries in St Helens, council-run leisure centres, town hall reception, Contact Centre, Wesley House in Corporation Street; or Atlas House in Corporation Street.

Completed surveys can be returned to any of the above.