Views Sought On The Future Of Powys Libraries

Powys library users, interested residents, businesses and voluntary groups are being asked to give their views on how best the council and communities can continue to deliver library services in the future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With savings of over £27m to be found over the next three years, the library service has been tasked with reducing their costs by £250,000 by April 2019. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The current proposal is that the six main libraries – Ystradgynlais, Brecon, Llandrindod, Machynlleth, Newtown and Welshpool – and the two mobile library services for North and South Powys form the cornerstone of the service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ideas and views are being sought on how best to save 50% of the local running costs and continue to deliver services in the 11 towns that have branch libraries – Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Hay-on-Wye, Knighton, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Llanwrtyd Wells, Presteigne, Rhayader and Talgarth. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Some meetings have taked place with town and community councils and other organisations who could contribute towards library running costs, co-locate their service within the current library building or offer the library a home in theirs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Library users, interested residents and other stakeholders are being asked to contribute to these discussions between 15 April and 3 July either by completing an online or paper survey or attending a drop in session at their branch on the following dates: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Builth Wells: Tuesday 31 May, 4–6pm
• Crickhowell: Tuesday 14 June, 4–6pm
• Hay-on-Wye: Monday 13 June, 5–7pm
• Knighton: Tuesday 17 May, 4–6pm
• Llanfair Caereinion: Friday 22 April, 2–4pm
• Llanfyllin: Friday 22 April, 5–7pm
• Llanidloes: Tuesday 21 June, 4–6pm
• Llanwrtyd Wells: Tuesday 24 May, 4–6pm
• Presteigne: Wednesday 27 April, 4–6pm
• Rhayader: Wednesday 18 May, 4–6pm
• Talgarth: Tuesday 10 May, 4–6pm ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Graham Brown, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Recreation said: “We know that our libraries are much loved and valued by Powys residents and we don’t want to see any branch close if we can avoid it. However the reality is that we need to change the way we deliver a large chunk of our services including libraries. What we are seeking now are your ideas about the libraries of the future. What services should be on offer? Where should they be housed and who else could help us to run them? We’re open to all ideas and our proposal is just that – a proposal – so please do have your say by Sunday 3 July.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The survey and information can be accessed online from Friday 15 April by going to www.powys.gov.uk/haveyoursay ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Paper copies of the survey can be picked up at and returned to your local branch library and they will also be available at the drop-in sessions. Residents who are unable to pick up a survey or access the web can write to: The Principal Librarian, The Gwalia, Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6AA. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​