New services at Canning Town Library

The improvements at the library, costing approximately £200,000 are part of the council's drive to transform the way it delivers services and ensure it provides the best quality and value for money for residents.

As well as a new study and computer area and a bright, family friendly children's area, visitors to the new-look library will find easy to use self-service kiosks where residents can carry out a range of transactions including:

• Checking library accounts to renew books, CDs and DVDs.
• Paying council bills with a credit/debit card
• Checking rent and council tax balances
• Choice Based Lettings, viewing and bidding for properties
• Reporting abandoned vehicles, fly tipping, antisocial behaviour, missed bin collections, graffiti and many more problems that the council can help with.

Newham Council's executive member for customer services, Councillor Andrew Baikie, said: "Introducing new and better ways for residents to carry out transactions by offering a wide range of services from fewer buildings will mean the council can save money that can be put toward protecting frontline services."

This means that as a result of the improvements at Canning Town Library, Canning Town Local Service Centre (LSC) will no longer operate from 1 October 2011.

The cash office at Canning Town LSC will also cease to operate, as paying council bills by cash at an LSC costs the council more to process than any other method of payment.

Each payment taken over the counter at a cash office costs approximately £1.80. This compares to 2p for a direct debit payment. These changes will enable the council to deliver a far more efficient and value for money service.

There are now many other ways for customers to pay their rent, Council Tax and other charges, including by Direct Debit, standing order, online and by telephone.

Find out about alternative payment methods here or pick up a leaflet in your local LSC. The council is working with residents who currently use a cash office to and offering guidance and support about alternative payment methods.

Guidance will also be available through money management advice sessions to help customers access these other payment methods. Customers can still pay their rent and Council Tax using Allpay cards in the nearby Post Office, as well as at many other shops in the area.

After 1 October straightforward council transactions such as those listed above can be accessed through the self-serve kiosks at the library.