A Merseyside village is "going to suffer" after plans to close the borough's "busiest library".
As part of a new Library Strategy in St Helens, there are proposed closures of council-run library buildings in Billinge, Garswood, Parr, Peter Street, Rainford and Rainhill. But the council said there will be improved outreach services, digital services, community managed facilities, pop-up and book borrowing in these communities.
But residents in Rainhill have said their library, which is said to be the third busiest in St Helens, is a much-needed item. The proposed decision has been branded as "ridiculous" as some residents say the "life is being sucked" from the village.
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One person, who did not wish to be named, told the ECHO: "It's disgusting, surely we need libraries more than ever so why close them? Rainhill is very well used, it is an important part of the community and this needs to be challenged. We can't allow this to happen, the community shouldn't have to suffer."
According to St Helens Council, the Library Strategy vision is to "create a modern St Helens Library Service that is inclusive, vibrant, modern, excellent, responsive to customer needs and at the heart of communities". It will reduce the number of traditional and "unfit" buildings that the service is delivered from and enhance outreach work.
The strategy sets out how the council will deliver its library service from buildings in Chester Lane, Eccleston, Haydock, Moss Bank, Newton le Willows, St Helens town centre and Thatto Heath. The council said in the face of reducing central government grants, it is "essential that council services are efficient and cost effective."
Councillor Anthony Burns, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: "The world is changing, and people rely more and more on digital ways of connecting. The number of people who use libraries in a traditional way visiting a bricks and mortar building has been falling for years, so we need to change.
"During the pandemic, while the buildings were closed, the library offer was still incredibly popular with people and the service adapted and found new ways to provide service to customers through home delivery and an extensive digital service providing access to thousands of books and magazines at any time of the day or night."
Taking to social media on Tuesday, Rainhill Parish Council wrote: "The decision to close Rainhill Library, amongst others, quietly made yesterday (July 4) is both wrong and appalling. We've been working behind the scenes to prevent this and will continue to do so. Rainhill is the third most used library in the borough."
The service is said to continue to build on its strengths such as the St Helens Schools Library Service, to ensure children across the borough have access to books, which is already used by 75 per cent of schools. Councillor Burs said the "world is changing" and the number of people who visit a "bricks and mortar building has been falling for years".
He added: "Whilst we will be closing some library buildings, we're clear that every resident will still have access to a high-quality library service. In those areas where a building is closing, if residents or organisations would like to maintain a physical library building then we encourage anyone interested in finding out more about community managed libraries to please get in touch with us.
"The council is ready to offer support with everything from volunteering to grant funding application. We have already started conversations with organisations such as parish councils in those areas where buildings are closing, and we will continue those discussions in the weeks and months ahead."
The Library Strategy is set to be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday, July 13 and more information can be found online here. While the council is speaking to community groups and parish councils affected, those who are affected but have not had their say are being urged to contact St Helens council.
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