Mobile and home library services could be merged according to Conwy's proposals



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Conwy housewives could lose a service that would see library books delivered by council staff.

Members of the county finance and control committee will meet Wednesday to discuss plans to merge the home and mobile library service.

As part of the changes, some homebound residents would be asked to ask family members to take the books for them.

Advisors will be presented with three options for service: staying with the current service, removing it completely, or merging.

A report to the committee said the merger "would provide a more cost-effective and sustainable service with a focus on providing mobile libraries in some of the poorest communities in Wales for access to services" .

The mobile library provides books, audio books and information to Conwy communities.

He is currently making 120 stops, calling at every stop every four weeks.

According to the report, despite the increase in the number of stops in 2013, visits to the mobile library have remained relatively constant over the last five years, with 6,338 visits in 2017-2018.

She said, "Some stops have only one or no regular customers. In 2017-18, annual book loans totaled 20,180, a 17% decrease over five years. The mobile library vehicle is now 13 years old, it is not cost effective to operate and needs to be replaced. "

The cost of providing the mobile library service in 2017/18 was £ 36,240, or £ 5.72 per visit, compared to the net cost of £ 2.41 per visit to the Conwy libraries.

The Home Library Service provides library services to residents who, because of their age or disability, can not access a library directly or use the mobile library. Home service is used by 141 people.

The cost of the home library service in 2017/18 was £ 27,548.74, or £ 16 per visit.

This merger option, according to a senior advisor, would protect the future of the service.

Cllr Mark Baker, Cabinet Member for Culture and Heritage, said, "The preferred option of merging personal and mobile library services will ensure that we continue to provide library and library services. Information to home library clients and remote communities. libraries and are among the most disadvantaged in Wales to access services. This option will also ensure the durability of our mobile library services in a difficult financial climate. "

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