THURROCK Council is resuming its Join the Conversation sessions to find out what residents want from their library service.

The council started the sessions earlier this year and hopes to get an even bigger response this time.

A spokesman said: “Earlier this year the council held a series of conversations with the community.

“It was agreed ‘no change’ is not an option and libraries should be integrated within community hubs to enable more effective use of resources.

“There was also broad agreement that libraries need significant refurbishments and much improved IT systems for Thurrock to have a 21st century service.

“The community also asked to be fully involved in the decision making about the future of libraries in Thurrock.”

On Tuesday there will be a session in Belhus Library, in Derry Avenue, South Ockendon, from 9am to 11am, and at Aveley Library, in Purfleet Road, Aveley, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

The following Tuesday, September 19, the team will be at Horndon Woolmarket, High Road, Horndon, from 7pm to 9pm, and at Tilbury Library, in Civic Square, from noon to 2pm the Tuesday after that.

On Thursday, September 27, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, there will be a session at Stanford Library, in the High Street, followed by one at East Tilbury’s library, in Princess Margaret Road, from 10am to noon on Wednesday, October 3.

On Thursday, October 11, there will be a session at Corringham’s library, in St John’s Way, from 6pm to 8pm, followed by Blackshots Library, in Blackshots Lane, Grays, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, October 18.