Library keeping an eye on its books

The local library service is back under the book-keepers’ sharpened pencils as it bids to reduce its running costs over the next two years.

Cash-strapped Powys County Council wants to make savings across a number of services, and the county’s 11 libraries, including Welshpool’s, will need to make collective savings of £100,000 this year and a further £150,000 in the next financial year.

One of the options on the table is to consider the sort of community partnerships that have proved successful with other services that have been forced to save money.

Welshpool has successfully taken on a number of Powys services of late, including the street cleaning project.

Other money-saving ideas to be investigated include the use of voluntary positions including work experience, improving Information and Communications Technology and building staff capacity.