The library in St Ives has been selected to trial new technology which could help safeguard its opening hours.

Cambridgeshire County Council will trial a new system – known as Open+ - which will enable self-service access to library resources, including borrowing or returning books, use of free Wi-Fi, PCs and pre-booked meeting rooms, outside of staffed hours.

The trial, due to begin later this year, will allow the library to retain its Sunday opening hours, noon to 4pm, which had been at risk of being cut following a public consultation held earlier this year.

The trial could also result in additional opening hours on Thursday afternoons.

Cllr Mac McGuire, of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We will be asking local residents for feedback as part of the trial of the self-service access system.

“Your feedback will help us decide how modern technology can help shape the delivery of the service in future. This could be the first of our Open+ libraries and we hope that it will help create a more flexible and efficient service.”

St Ives Library will temporarily close on Sundays from June 12, and for an additional few days leading up to the start of the trial to allow for the installation of the new technology.