Minister for Heritage Alun Ffred Jones AM has visited Bridgend County Borough’s newest reference library as part of an event designed to celebrate its services for people in the Llynfi Valley.
The Y Llynfi facility has been provided by converting under-used space at Maesteg Sports Centre into a hub for reference and information services.
The facility offers local and family history books, an extensive music library, historical maps of the area, a study lounge, daily and weekly newspapers, free internet access, an extensive music library and access to ICT facilities such as word processing, email, scanners, printers and downloading.
In addition to being accessible for wheelchairs and featuring software for visually impaired users, the Bridgend Library and Information Service has also designated Y Llynfi a Welsh language centre of excellence.
The facility compliments the existing town centre library located at North’s Lane in Maesteg and has been funded by the Welsh Assembly Government via CyMAL – Museums, Archives and Libraries, Wales. More than £100,000 has been invested in the facility.
The minister enjoyed a tour of the facilities at Y Llynfi and was entertained with live music from Côr Merched Cwm Llynfi and the pupils of Ysgol Cynwyd Sant.
Councillor Lyn Morgan, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, said: “Y Llynfi is offering people of the Llynfi Valley easy access to services that they would have previously had to travel into Bridgend in order to use.
“Ideally located close to the sports centre and other town centre facilities, it is entirely fitting that Y Llynfi is housed in a historic building which was once the Corn Store of the old Maesteg Iron Works.
“This facility will benefit communities throughout the Llynfi Valley for many generations to come.”
Minister for Heritage Alun Ffred Jones said: “I am pleased to see that community groups and other services are taking advantage of the modern and attractive facilities in the library.
“Local historians, Welsh learners and job seekers who use the new ICT suite are among the new groups benefitting.”
