MORE than £1.8million is to be invested in libraries as Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs aim to keep theirs among the best in the country.

And the borough will be among the first in the country to install a new self-issue system for books and tapes.

Already, Blackburn with Darwen's library service has been hailed by the government as one of just three authorities which other areas should try to match.

The unitary authority's success is in stark contrast to Lancashire's county council-run libraries after a report revealed last week that around £3.75million was needed over the next three years to bring the county's libraries -- including those in Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle, Burnley, Ribble Valley and Chorley -- up to tough new standards set by the Government.

At the heart of Blackburn's improvement plan is a £740,000 refurbishment of Blackburn Central Library.

The ground floor will be improved with a new internet cafe and online catalogues of all of the area's public books.

A new security system, additional entrance and a larger collection of audio and large print material are included in the scheme.

A sound-proofed music and video area is also planned, along with a video screen point.

Another £200,000 is to be spent on creating a children's library and creche.

Around £600,000 will be spent on improvements next year, and £340,000 in 2003.

And £50,000 will be spent from a £1million Government grant on introducing a self-issue system for books and audio material.

The Government is giving the borough the £1million to help it meet 13 targets set down in the Public Service Agreement, which is designed to improve various services.

Councillor Kate Hollern, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, said: "We are one of only three library authorities in the Country to be awarded a Public Service Agreement. "This will enable us to be the first Unitary Authority to open our Central Library for over 60 hours a week.

"Under this agreement we receive extra funding by increasing our national performance targets. Next summer our Central Library will be completely refurbished.

"This will provide an outstanding library facility with the very latest in technology and services."

Coun Hollern added: "Our libraries, including the mobile library, provide a vital service for the community and it is to the credit of our staff and customers that we are now receiving national recognition for all the hard work we have put in to ensure continuous improvement."

The council received a cash grant from the Bill Gates Foundation to improve its technology, while £200,000 from the Government's New Opportunities Fund will pay for a project called Cotton Town, a digital archive of showing the impact and influence of the cotton industry on the borough.