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Neath Port Talbot Council is carrying out a review of the county’s library service which could result in the relocation of services and the arrival of micro-libraries.

Four libraries faced closure under the local authority’s budget plans earlier this year but a public outcry prompted decision-makers to change their approach, leaving them under council control for another year while a review takes place.

The county’s main libraries are in Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe with branch libraries at Skewen, Glynneath, Sandfields, Baglan and Cwmafan.

There is also a mobile library service, a home-delivery service to housebound residents and services for schools and young children, as well as nursing and residential homes, and support for community libraries.

At a recent council meeting, officers said the six-month review would ensure the library service continued to deliver “a relevant, cost-effective and sustainable service” over the next five years.

County librarian Wayne John said: “I see the review as a positive opportunity to provide a sustainable service over the next five years.

“We are intending to meet with elected members at their local libraries and look at the opportunities to improve the service, and achieve savings at the same time.

“For example, the Skewen library building has been declared not fit for purpose – I know members are actively looking to relocate it to Carnegie Hall.

“Libraries are not just about borrowing books, we will be looking to bring as many other agencies and third sector groups in as possible.”

Public libraries are a statutory service, provided under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

The review is set to look at what must be legally provided, the changing role of public libraries and how other local authorities deliver library services as well as operational costs, library relocation, community hubs, staffing and micro-libraries, which are book deposit collections.

The consultation is expected to involve those who use libraries and those who don’t, community groups and focus groups.

Once the review has been completed, a full report will go before council.

Head of transformation Andrew Thomas said: “We all know libraries have been under scrutiny for some time – once we have agreed the review and a decision is made at the end, we will stick with that for a period of time to get some stability for the service.”

The education, skills and culture cabinet scrutiny committee took place on Thursday, April 11.