Caerphilly County Borough Council’s library network has been highlighted as an example of good practice in a major report.
The county borough’s 18 libraries came in for praise in a Welsh Government report looking at harnessing the power of the arts, culture and heritage to promote social justice in Wales.
In her Culture and Heritage report, Baroness Kay Andrews OBE acknowledged that Caerphilly County Borough Council had invested heavily in its library network and as a result visits to libraries in the county borough had increased by over 11% over the last four years, while book borrowing had also increased during the same period.
In the report Baroness Andrews states: “The increases can be directly linked to the improved buildings and service offer available to residents.
“The service is recognised within Wales as being a leading authority in the co-location of library services with other complementary partners.”
Baroness Andrews paid tribute to the service offer at Bargoed Chapel and Risca Palace, along with the libraries in Aberbargoed, Newbridge, Bedwas and Caerphilly, whose co-located approach has given residents and visitors access to a range of key services all under one roof.
In her report, Baroness Andrews also commended the Council’s work with key partners including Communities 2.0 and Get Caerphilly Online to provide digital skills to residents in a library setting.
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning, said: “The findings of this case study emphasize that this long term programme of investment is providing positive results across the county borough, with libraries receiving more visitors and issuing more book loans.
“We are pleased that our friends at the Welsh Government have acknowledged the extensive work that has been carried out here to provide our residents with access to culture and heritage in modern, fit for purpose library facilities. At a time of significant financial austerity we have continued to invest in our county borough libraries as we recognise that they are an important social driver in our long term bid to reduce poverty and raise ambition.”
