RESIDENTS will get the chance to help shape the future of their town library services next week.

Hartlepool Borough Council's library service has until September to submit its annual library plan to the Government.

Representatives from the town's libraries are keen to give local people the chance to air their views which will betaken into account when drawing up the plan.

Susan Atkinson, borough librarian, said: "Hartlepool libraries are nationally recognised as providing a high quality service and we aim to keep it that way.

"Libraries need to ensure they are providing the type of service people want both now and in the future. We need the views of local people on all aspects of the library service, but we are particularly interested in opinions about opening hours, books and the use of computers.

"We are interested in people's opinions, regardless of whether they are library users.

"All ideas and information gathered from these meetings will be considered in drawing up the annual library plan."

Last year, Hartlepool libra-ries received the Government charter mark for excellence.

There are seven libraries in the town, plus a bookbus, mobile library and a home library service. The meetings take place at the central library on Monday at 1.30pm and 5.30pm.