Caerphilly borough libraries fairing well in Wales wide comparison (From Campaign Series)

Caerphilly borough libraries fairing well in Wales wide comparison

8:50am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Campaign news

CAERPHILLY county borough council is ranked highly in Wales in a report about the performance of the borough's libraries.

The report includes performance indicators of how Caerphilly County Borough Council’s libraries service is performing compared with other local authorities in Wales. These include how Caerphilly:

o Is ranked joint first in Wales for the percentage of adult users who think library opening hours are good or very good - (95%)

o Is ranked second in Wales for the number of library members per 1,000 of the population - (648)

o Is ranked first in Wales for the percentage of library loan stock on loan on a given day - (36.5%)

o Is ranked second in Wales for the percentage of adult users who think computer facilities are adequate, good or very good - (99%)

Residents have been flocking in their thousands to brand new libraries in Bargoed and Risca, signalling that library services across Caerphilly county borough are as in demand and as popular as ever.

Since the magnificent Hanbury Chapel opened its doors in Bargoed at the end of October, it has received more than 18,000 visitors who have come to make use of the facilities on offer at the library.

The historic former chapel, in addition to the library, also boasts a Showcase and Children’s area, Customer Services centre, cafe, worship space, family history, local history and learning area.

Similarly, since the Risca Palace opened in December, in excess of 8,000 people have also flocked to the library to check out what it has to offer.

The majestic former cinema also offers a Customer Services facility, and a range of community facilities all under one roof.

Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said: “While many libraries in other parts of the country are being closed down, here in Caerphilly we are investing in these important community facilities. It is fantastic that these brand new facilities have proven so popular, and these schemes will shortly be followed by other exciting new library developments across the county borough."

Blackwood Library has also undergone an impressive facelift in recent months, and brand new developments are also underway in Abercarn and Newbridge, with plans also in place for a brand new library development in Caerphilly.

Additionally, a recent report to the council’s Cabinet illustrated how nine of the Welsh Government’s Public Library Standards had been either met or exceeded in Caerphilly county borough during 2010/11.

Cllr Phil Bevan continued: “The council has responded carefully and conscientiously to the requirements of the Welsh Government’s assessment frameworks, and continues to make progress in the standards that are being achieved."

The council’s libraries service was further enhanced with the introduction of two specialist ‘Library Link’ vehicles, which provide a regular mobile library service to more than 500 housebound residents across Caerphilly county borough.

In addition, the School Libraries Services has also been reconfigured, with this book stock now being available to primary and secondary schools in local community libraries.

Residents can also access an online library catalogue, where they can reserve library items online. For further information, please visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/libraries