CAMPAIGNERS are seeking legal action -- and the intervention ofhigh profile authors such as J K Rowling -- in a bid to save threeGwendraeth Valley libraries.
A group has been set up to fight plans by Carmarthenshire Councilto close Pontyberem, Tumble and Pontyates libraries at the end ofthis month. They are among five in the county deemed to be poorvalue for money by the authority, which plans to replace them withan extended mobile library service.
Keith Evans, from Pontyberem, set up the protest meeting at thevillage's library last week. He said: "We're declaring war on thecouncil.
"We're looking at possible legal action that's also beingfollowed in Gloucestershire and Somerset.
"The council is obliged to provide a 'comprehensive andefficient' service under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964."
Mr Evans has also brought the situation to the attention of theSociety of Authors, of which he is a member, alongside the likes ofJ K Rowling, in the hope of gaining support.
"There's been no public consultation," he said. "Three librariesin neighbouring villages are going to be closed all at once. Theminers founded this and handed it over to Carmarthenshire Council tokeep its future safe. It's obscene."
Those who want to borrow books now face a bus journey, costingPounds 4.20 return to Carmarthen library or Pounds 3.50 return toLlanelli. Mr Evans, who is also honorary secretary of the localConservative association, branded the move "shortsighted", adding,"We're going back to the 19th century."
Calls are now being made for local groups to take notice of whatis happening in their community.
"We have rising unemployment and people are looking for jobs andusing the libraries for internet but none of the mobile librarieswill have this," said Mr Evans.
"In an age where we are trying to get children to read, theyclose the local library."
John Treharne regularly goes to the library to pick up books forhis 92-year-old mother. He said: "There's not many books in herethat she hasn't read. She has ten books a week and has been doingthat for years. I now face travelling to Carmarthen or Llanelli toget her books, which is going to cost money."
Director of education, Robert Sully, said: "The council isobliged to give consideration to value for money in the provision ofpublic services, and the reason that the libraries in question havebeen reviewed is because they are not being sufficiently well usedby local residents."
Education executive member Gwynne Wooldridge added: "While wewould love to be able to provide all services to all people in allways, regardless of how well they are used, it is simply notrealistic to do so. In fact, it would be an irresponsible use ofpublic funds."
LLANELLI Conservatives have branded county council plans to closethe Gwendraeth Valley libraries "municipal vandalism".
The local party's honorary secretary and Pontyberem residentKeith Evans said: "With no public consultation with villagers,councillors in the ruling coalition want to snuff out local accessto library books, internet connections and information for thousandsof adults and children in the Gwendraeth Fawr."
The Tories claim that Labour and Independent councillors haveonly targeted libraries in communities who do not vote for them;while smaller libraries like Trimsaran, with only a few hundredresidents are being spared.
Mr Evans added: "The council will save peanuts, perhaps Pounds20,000, yet decimate a much valued service for young and old alike.We will take our challenge to the highest levels to stop thismunicipal vandalism."
The county's education executive board member, Councillor GwynneWooldridge, said: "It is important to stress that the libraryservices itself will continue in these areas -- the only change isthat it will be provided via our mobile service rather than inbuildings.
"Financial difficulties are a reality that we must deal with inthe best way we can, whilst continuing to provide quality services."
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