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Two libraries in Torfaen, Wales, could see their book loan services reduced to just two-and-a-half days per week in order to help make £250,000 worth of savings, the South Wales Argus has reported.
As part of a savings exercise for the 2017/2018 financial year, Torfaen Council has proposed to reduce the library services in Blaenavon and Pontypool to two-and-a-half days and to reduce Cwmbran library service to four days. The proposals would see all three libraries using self service facilities.
Councillor Brian Mawby, chair of planning committee, said: “I don’t think anybody on the council relishes the thought of having to reduce services. Particularly services which are valuable for the purposes of learning. What we are doing now is trying to find the way of achieving the council’s savings which by default we agreed with – whether you like it or not – we agreed the £250,000 saving. Council has made that decision.
“But what we want to do is to make sure that reduction in budget has the minimal effect on the objectives that we feel that the libraries fulfil within our communities. It’s not whether we make the savings, it’s how we make the saving.”
The plans will go before the council’s cabinet on Tuesday 17th January.