Pembrokeshire County Council has launched a consultation on proposed changes to Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Libraries.

Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.

More support was given to reducing costs by co-locating or downsizing libraries, working with volunteers or reducing opening hours.

Working on the basis of a potential 20% savings requirement for the Library Service, the following changes are proposed:

• Milford Haven Library: either to relocate the library to a smaller/cheaper premises or establish a Community Managed Partnership at the current library.

A Public Meeting will be held on Monday, February 3, starting at 6.30pm at Milford Haven Library to outline how the option to establish a Community Managed partnership would work. All are welcome to attend.

· Pembroke Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by eight hours per week.

· Pembroke Dock Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by seven hours per week. We are also looking at options to share the library space with a third-party to reduce premises costs.

Customers often use more than one library, so please feel free to take part in any/all of the surveys.

Paper copies of the consultations are available at each of the three libraries.

The paper surveys will remain in place until 5pm, on February 17, when the consultations will close.

The online survey will also close at the same time.

Should the Library Service savings requirement go up or down from 20% following the Council budget meeting on February 20, a fresh consultation in relation to any additional or different proposals for change will be made.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The Library Needs Assessment last year has helped shape the current proposals in a way that avoids library closures and some of the other negative impacts that the respondents told us they were against.

“Given the difficult financial situation impacting the Council we have tried to create proposals that strike a balance that continues to providing a much loved library service while also providing savings.

“Please take the time to fill in the surveys and provide feedback on the proposals ahead of decisions being taken.

“For those who use Milford Haven Library please also take up the opportunity to attend the public meeting on Monday, February 3, at 6.30pm.”