Conwy's Library standards assessed

Conwy's Library standards assessed

Llanrwst Library

Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Culture has commended the County’s Library and Information Service for its performance in the face of a challenging financial climate, following the Welsh Public Library Standards assessment for 2023-24.

Welsh Government monitors compliance with Councils’ statutory duty to provide libraries through the Welsh Public Library Standards. The Annual Report for Conwy County Borough Council Libraries has been published and will be presented to a meeting of Cabinet on 28 January

The Report shows that Conwy meets all 12 of the Core Entitlements in full. In addition, of the seven Quality Indicators which have targets, the Library Service achieved six in full and one, in relation to staffing, in part.

The Library Service has shown how it is meeting the Quality Indicator of Supporting Health and Wellbeing with its partnerships with Mind and the Council’s Social Care team and through the Age Friendly network to raise awareness of the Reading Well for Mental Health (Books on Prescription). Library staff are trained to deliver Reading Friends and Shared Reading sessions to customers, and valuable interactions and support are provided to the community through these sessions.

Library storytime sessions, reading groups, Shared Reading, and Reading Friends groups, seasonally themed craft and story sessions, and digital help sessions were all highlighted to demonstrate how the service provides Events and Activities for users with special requirements.

The Indicator that related to staffing levels was partially met. In a time of increasing pressures on Council budgets, like many council services, resources have had to reduce and Libraries have had to make cuts.

Councillor Dilwyn Roberts, Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT, said, “The Welsh Public Library Standards Return 2023-24, is testimony to the commitment of Conwy Library Service to perform well and above the Welsh median on many benchmarks. I’d like to thank our library staff for delivering excellent customer service, and commend their ambition and commitment in achieving these high standards in library and information provision despite reduced resources and the challenges presented this year especially with the review of opening hours and reduction in number of staff in the team.”

The report will be presented to Cabinet at the meeting on 28 January Conwy Local Democracy : Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 2.00 pm