THE chairman of Friends of Abergavenny Library Services has expressed concerns following the closure of Abergavenny Library.

Matthew Plumb, chairman of Friends of Abergavenny Library Services (FOALS) is concerned at the proposal that library service provision is to be merged with the One Stop Shop (OSS) and relocated.

“We are going to lose our library in Abergavenny, a charming little Carnegie, and accept that the building is no longer fit for purpose,” Mr Plumb said.

“What is a concern to us is the proposal that library service provision is to be merged with the One Stop Shop (OSS) and relocated.

“I am sure you appreciate the difficulties facing councils and the requirements they are under to make savings, but libraries perform core functions that societies rely on in order to thrive.”

FOALS have persisted in exploring other options and have asked for feasibility studies to be undertaken of other potential sites, but say they have been left disappointed at the lack of action delivered by Monmouthshire Council.

Abergavenny has £3.5 million for a new build, but the proposed project on the old Livestock Market has been put on hold while developers await a ruling on issues of the Highways Act.

FOALS also fear the council will not be able to maintain a new build of the size suggested.

“FOALS are seeking to publicise and democratise this issue,” Mr Plumb continued.

“We are not going to accept the council’s proposal of a merger that will not benefit our town’s people.

The group held an art auction on Friday last week and raised enough money to buy six tablets for the library with the help of match funding in response to five computers being removed due to lack of space.

Mr Plum intends to raise issues at a meeting with leaders of the council in Chepstow on Tuesday.