EVERY library in Essex will have a designated space to help improve literacy levels by the end of June.

A draft council plan details how Essex County Council intends to transform the library service over the next four years, including helping children and adults improve their reading in new literacy corners.

The authority has also pledged to upgrade libraries and make a series of cosmetic improvements, as well as developing a mobile library service.

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A new online library platform will see a “more user-friendly interface, and enhanced functionality such as online bookings for special events and activities”.

Louise McKinlay, councillor responsible for libraries, said: “The aim is that by the end of June every library will have a literacy corner.

“That is a physical corner and I suspect these will morph over time as we get feedback and improve on them.

“But we are very much looking at providing a space where we can promote literacy not just for little ones.

“But I can start with children thinking about the word of the week, digraphs and how they can learn to read and write and what that means for school readiness.

“But then also what is needed for additional support for adults and to really be able to use these places – this is the visible side of the literacy aspect.

“In time we will be delivering services from these corners which will be very targeted particularly in some of the more deprived areas where we know school readiness and good levels of development are lower than they are elsewhere.

“So we need to make sure we have the tools to be able to do it.

“It is not just to encourage people to go to the library but we are taking that next step further and thinking about the additional support that some of these communities may need and giving them the information they may need.”

Essex County Council had planned to close 25 of its 74 libraries in 2018 before local outcry and a star-studded campaign from famous authors convinced the authority to change its mind.

Essex County Council has committed to keeping all 74 libraries open.