COMMUNITY groups could be called on to take over the running of some libraries in Caerphilly County Borough.
The council is carrying out a review of its library services and believes it can save money by narrowing its focus to six sites.
A dozen other locations could potentially close down under the plans, which are currently out for consultation.
Members of the public have until December 3 to have their say on the proposals.
Cllr Carol Andrews, the cabinet member for libraries, said the council wanted to provide a “sustainable and resilient library service for the future”.
She said the service had faced cost increases in recent years, and the council had previously had to make staffing and hours reductions to keep all of its sites open.
Speaking at a joint scrutiny committee meeting, on Wednesday November 6, Cllr Andrews said the recently refurbished Rhymney Library had more than doubled its annual footfall since becoming a community “hub” for public services.
The site will serve as a blueprint for proposed “hub” facilities at the five other sites the council is intending to focus on in future, located in Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Risca and Ystrad Mynach.
No decision will be made on the future of the council’s other libraries – in Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Deri, Llanbradach, Machen, Nelson, New Tredegar, Newbridge, Oakdale, and Pengam – until the consultation period has ended, and will be based on the outcomes of that public survey, the committee was told.
If any of those sites are recommended for closure, then a Community Asset Transfer could be a path towards their survival.
Under this arrangement, the local authority would “pass responsibility onto a community organisation” for the ownership and running of a library.
But this process is complicated and can take time, and would also depend on the council already owning a site – as well as any interested community members finding the money to run the service.
To learn more about the council’s proposals for its library service, and to have your say, visit https://conversation.caerphilly.gov.uk/draft-library-service-strategic-vision-2024-2028
The website also lists a series of informal drop-in sessions on the plans, to be held at various libraries throughout November.
