Libraries in Ellesmere Port and Neston could be reviewed as part of the borough council’s budget proposals for the next three years.

The council believes that across Cheshire West and Chester savings could increase to £550,000 a year from 2016/17.

It says the review ‘could potentially involve providing some services in a different way or from a different location’.

It would be carried out on a locality basis, taking into account other ‘service provision’ in the area.

Discussions with communities would look at alternative arrangements such as community and voluntary schemes and more joint use of buildings.

‘The review will also identify options working closely with partners such as the creation of community hubs,” the consultation states.

It aims to achieve savings of £500,000 from 2016/17 onwards.

“Increasingly libraries are seeing changes in their usage as alternatives to books become increasingly popular,” the consultation argues.

“It is recognised that libraries are not just about books but about a wider offer of services to local communities.

“This more responsive approach will enable the library service to deliver services that are valued by communities but also reduce the size of the current book fund by £50,000 a year from 2014/15 onwards to reflect these changes in demand.”