A report will be presented to Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet next week proposing changes to ensure a sustainable and long-term future for the county’s library service.

The work of developing the new strategy for the library service has began since December 2014, and the council has consulted with the public and its partners since this stage.

The ‘More than Books’ strategy which will be considered by the council’s Cabinet will set an objective of maintaining an efficient and comprehensive library service for the people of Gwynedd that will be within reach to anyone wishing to use the service, while simultaneously meeting national requirements at a time where money available to sustain services is decreasing.

In order to accomplish this and to be able to continue offering this for the future, the council says changes must be introduced to the service.

The strategy recommends that the people of Gwynedd should be able to access the service through the following methods:

Area Libraries – intention of hosting nine area libraries in: Barmouth, Bangor, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Caernarfon, Dolgellau, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Tywyn and Y Bala. The council would look at these libraries’ opening hours and possibly consider altering times to suit the needs.

Mobile Library – there would be three different types of mobile libraries which will continue to be available. These are: mobile libraries for rural communities, mobile library service to the home (for people who are unable to visit the library building because of a disability or medical condition) and the children and young people mobile library (Lori Ni). The council will consider where these vehicles stop and alter to suit the needs.

Community Libraries – The council will work with four local communities to establish community libraries at Bethesda, Penygroes, Criccieth and Nefyn. Gwynedd Council would continue to provide the same library service within these communities, but by sharing the building with other partners. Again, the council would consider these libraries’ opening hours and possibly amend to suit users’ needs.

Community Links – would be established in those areas where it is recommended that the council does not continue to provide a library building, which would be Llanberis, Deiniolen, Penrhyndeudraeth and Harlech communities – providing an opportunity to collect books chosen and ordered online.

See the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor and Meirionnydd editions of the Cambrian News