Angus Council ACCESS provision which includes advice on services and form-filling help are to be brought into local libraries in three burghs across the district.
From the end of this month, Brechin, Kirriemuir and Monifieth residents will have the one-stop shop which council chiefs say has been designed to enhance the experience of customers in the towns.
The arrangement follows an agreement between the council and its arms-length culture and leisure trust, Angus Alive to transfer the face-to-face ACCESS services to the libraries.
The change will come into place on Monday May 29.
The authority is yet to declare its plans for the vacated ACCESS offices in the three towns, but a report agreed by councillors last year suggested they could fill a future role as locality hubs.
Angus Alive chief executive, Kirsty Hunter said: “This is an excellent opportunity for us to provide local services at one unified site, rather than two separate buildings, and ensure our resources are where they are needed most to help the communities we serve.
“As a result of the transition to single-site delivery, we will increase the availability of face-to-face ACCESS services for local people.
“This includes being open one late night, as well as on Saturday mornings and at lunchtimes which will provide greater flexibility and convenience for the people who use our services.
“We look forward to welcoming our customers to the libraries in Brechin, Kirriemuir and Monifieth where they will see the same friendly people who serve them now and receive the same ACCESS services, just in a different place.”
ACCESS services include assisting customers with submitting forms such as housing, welfare and concessionary travel applications, as well as providing general council service information.
The authority said the move to library locations will also allow residents to tap into the IT resources available there for community use.
Changes to delivery of ACCESS services in Carnoustie are also underway as part of a wider plan to improve the High Street library there.
The report which went before communities committee councillors last August out a total figure of £4.2 million on the work required to complete the project in Brechin, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Montrose and Forfar.
