WORCESTERSHIRE County Council’s library service will be going even more high-tech later this year.

Staff are planning to roll out five new self-service machines into libraries in the county – on top of the 37 installed within the last couple of years.

The increase in self service machines follows the news that more than 90 per cent of library customers take their books out in this way.

This frees library staff up to spend more time helping customers. The introduction of more self-service machines is part of a wider push encouraging library users to ‘do it yourself’.

Coun John Campion, cabinet member for localism and communities, said: “Library services are changing and by embracing new and modern technologies we are aiming to make using your local library as easy and convenient as possible.”

* Meanwhile, the authority’s highways teams have repaired almost 25,000 potholes and 10,800 street lighting faults over the last year.

Residents have played a big part in this because they’ve getting in touch to report any problems.

In addition, more than 125 miles of roads have been resurfaced – the equivalent of a highway from Worcester to London.

Coun John Smith, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’d like to encourage residents to continue to get in touch to report any problems.”