A NEW campaign to encourage more people to use Lancashire’s libraries has been launched.

Lancashire County Council said the move aims to highlight the investment being made locally in the service.

A successful pilot in West Lancashire last year saw a 35 per cent increase in new members.

The campaign comes as the council is midway through a £5.5 million regeneration programme to refurbish its 74-strong network of library branches.

The programme is aimed at ensuring that those libraries will not only remain open but will provide modern, flexible facilities, fit for the 21st century.

County Coun Mike Calvert said: “Libraries are at the heart of local communities, which is why we are investing around £5.5 million in refurbishing our network.

“We have also just announced proposals for a further £1million capital investment in our libraries.

"However, we want to change the way people think about libraries.

“We want to attract even more people by letting them know about the brilliant range of services available, from borrowing the latest best-selling books, eBooks and DVDs, to accessing the internet through our network of PCs or using the free wi-fi, to attending exciting events from children's activities to live music.”

The campaign will feature local library users on eye-catching outdoor advertising as well as a social media blitz.