A NEW chapter is to be opened in St Helens with plans for a brand new library, which it is hoped will appeal to all members of the community.

The council is currently negotiating with Sure Start Happy Elephant in Thatto Heath to develop an improved library facility on the site of the new Children's Centre on Leicester Street.

The new facility will provide a greater range of electronic services including more computers and access to council services through an information point.

Other features will include a quick-pick paperback collection and a wider range of audiovisual materials.

The Sure Start Happy Elephant Centre is one of several earmarked for the borough. They will also be places where local people will be able to find a wide range of childcare educational and health services for the under 5s and support services for parents and carers.

The centre will also provide high quality early education with full day care, family and health services, including ante-natal services.

Job Centre Plus and local providers of training and further education will be able to use the building. Under proposals the existing 89-year-old library on Thatto Heath Road will be used for other purposes, but the community groups who currently use the building could be accommodated in the new facility.

Sure Start Happy Elephant have organised two opportunities to see the plans for the new centre.

The first will be at Broadway High School on Thursday, September 2 between 3pm and 6.30pm when local people will be able to share their views about aspects of the centre whilst enjoying a family BBQ.

The next will be on Saturday, September 4 on land near the Elephant Lane crossroads in Thatto Heath.