WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has met with residents and Redditch MP Jacqui Smith to discuss the options for the delivery of the library service in the town.

The council is consulting on the best and most efficient way to provide library services in Worcestershire.

An online questionnaire has been carried out and public meetings have been held.

Ms Smith met the acting head of cultural services, Debbie Birch, together with Kathy Kirk and Cathy Evans from the libraries and learning service on Friday, September 14.

Ideas on how to make financial savings while getting the best out of the service were discussed.

Chief among those is the idea of encouraging more people to use Woodrow Library, as well as seeing what opportunities there are for services to share the site.

The council is currently liaising with Redditch Council regarding the neighbourhood office, which is also in Woodrow Centre.

Debbie Birch said: "We had a really good meeting with Jacqui Smith, we had a great chat about some of the issues facing the service and ways we can improve libraries in the Redditch area.

"Ms Smith heard what we had to say about getting the best out of Woodrow as well as other proposals, then shared her views with us.

"This will be fed into the consultation process before a report goes to cabinet in November."

At a public meeting last Tuesday, 19 residents heard presentations from Councillor Philip Gretton, the cabinet member for adult and community services, as well as senior library officers.

Kathy Kirk, strategic libraries and learning manager, said: "We had a very positive response from residents at the meeting about the way we've communicated with them and how we've listened.

"Youth group What's Your Point had some great ideas for working more closely with Woodrow Library.

"Residents told us they were concerned about a lot of closures in Woodrow Centre at the moment and so were keen for the library to be shared with another service if it meant more services were retained in Woodrow Centre.

"They also pointed out how Woodrow Library means more to them than just books.

"As with any library, there are a range of services and products to use, while it also serves as a focus for the whole community."