RESIDENTS in Llandysul have been protesting this week about proposals to close their town library.

More than 30 people turned out yesterday for an impromptu protest, with another planned for outside the council offices in Aberaeron next week.

Two options were decided by the county council’s cabinet members as part of a review of library services in a bid to cut costs.

Option one is the closure of Llandysul library and the reduction of the mobile library fleet by two vehicles.

Option two is the closure of Llandysul library, the reduction of the mobile library fleet by one vehicle and the relocation of Cardigan library.

Local Llandysul Councillor Peter Evans was extremely concerned when these options were revealed by the Cabinet on Tuesday, November 7.

After the meeting he commented: “I am livid at the options given. Much like a post office it is an essential service.

“There are people who need to be able to use the internet, some people can’t afford broadband at home and need this service to be able to do things such as apply for jobs.”

The new multi-millions super school will open on the outskirts of Llandysul next year. This will see the leisure centre and the two schools that are currently in use in the town left empty.

“There are already empty shops and banks and Llandysul will be left like an empty shell. You’ll be able to shout down the streets and hear an echo,” said Cllr Evans.

“There are just under 2000 users of the library, in comparison with other towns this is less, but proportionately Aberaeron, Aberyswyth and Cardigan are all bigger with more people so they would have more visits. It’s heart-breaking and daunting to see the library close.”

The two options chosen by cabinet members are now out for public and staff consultation.

A campaign to save the library is stepping up with more and more people getting on board.

The protesters are next due to protest outside Penmorfa in Aberaeron next Thursday, November 26, the same day as the review of the library consultation will take place in a scrutiny meeting at Ceredigion County Council.