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July 26, 2006
Powys
Here is the story from Powys
"Llanwrtyd Wells is the smallest town in the UK and ours is a small community library in a very pleasant building, part of a complex which also houses the primary school and the community hall. Ours is one of the three libraries which is threatened with closure in Powys. The others are Talgarth and Llanfair Careinion. All are successful libraries, well-used and well supported. Membership at our library is rising every month. We have a thriving book group, a local history group and a writing group all of which we set up and help to run.
The people of Llanwrtyd Wells are shocked, angry and upset. We had the same thing happen to us two years ago and we won that battle, such was the uproar from the communities. This time something tells us it is going to be a harder fight.
The council say they have a shortfall of £30,000 (!) so have to close three libraries in order to keep the Bookrunner (a mobile library which visits schools once a term)on the road. They say they will also reduce the book fund by £25,000 next year. "
Is somebody really looking at the accounts here? The service in Powys receives over two million pounds each year from the taxpayers.
Posted by Tim Coates at July 26, 2006 8:16 PM