A NEW chapter has started in the long-running saga of the future of library services in Church Stretton.

Residents in Church Stretton and the surrounding area are being asked their views to help shape what the library service will look like in future in the town.

Shropshire Council’s library budgets have been significantly reduced due to cuts in central government funding.

To tackle this challenge, the council has been working with local communities and organisations across the county to try to find sustainable solutions that will secure library provision for the future.

Through this process, Shropshire Council received expressions of interest from local organisations, who submitted their initial proposals on how a library service could be operated.

The council now want to ask local people their thoughts around what they feel are the key factors for a successful library service in the town.

“Our vision is to ensure libraries in Shropshire remain at the heart of local communities,” said Lesley Picton, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure.

“Much time and resource has gone into working with local people to ensure libraries continue to thrive and provide the services that residents want. We therefore hope people in Church Stretton will get involved in this survey.”

Residents can complete the survey online at http://new.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/library-services-in-church-stretton or visit the ‘Get Involved’ pages on the Shropshire Council website shropshire.gov.uk.