WREXHAM Council is set to launch a consultation on the future of the city's libraries amid ongoing financial pressures.
The Local Authority say they are under huge financial pressure and that it's getting harder to "make ends meet".
They say that amid reduced funding combined with increased costs, inflation, interest rate rises, and more residents needing its support, they are having to look at the way things are run.
From Monday (November 18), they are set to launch a new consultation, which will close on January 19, 2025, with the council asking local residents to help shape the future of the facilities.
Wrexham Council currently manages 10 branch libraries, a homelink library and a pop up library, as well as five community resource centres. The council say they recognise the resources make "an enormous contribution" to the wellbeing of those that use them.
However, the current financial pressures mean that a saving of at least £185,000 must be made from the library budget.
Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones, lead member for Corporate Services, said: “As a council we’re facing a budget gap of around £28 million over the next two years, so we need to re-consider the services we deliver – and how we deliver them – if we’re going to meet this challenge.
“As part of this, we must make a saving of at least £185,000 from our operating budget for libraries and community resource centres.
“We haven’t taken any decisions yet, but we do have a range of options that we want people’s views on.
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“We want to know what people expect from their library service and resource centres going forward, and we want to work with organisations and communities who might be interested in helping to run some of these services.
“So please take part in our consultation, and share your thoughts and ideas – we really need your input.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, leader of the council, added: “I’d like to encourage people to take part in this consultation, so please spare some time to share your views and ideas.
“This is just a consultation process and no decisions have been made at this point in time.”
A host of roadshows are also set to take place in a bid to explain the consultation to residents.
More information can be found on the Wrexham Council website.
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