Museum chiefs slam Library move

Closing Welshpool Library and moving it in with Powysland Museum is the wrong decision according to the Council for British Archaeology Wales (CBA Wales).

In a letter seen by MyWelshpool to Dr Caroline Turner, Chief Executive of Powys County Council, M.J. Greene, Chair, and Dr Cyllene Griffiths, Director, said that they fully support the ‘Save Welshpool Library’ campaign because they are concerned with the implications for the Powysland Museum.

The CBA was established in 1944 and is the national amenity society concerned with protection of the archaeological interest in heritage assets.

“While recognising the importance of the Public Library, CBA Wales are particularly concerned regarding the implications of the intended closure of the library in its current location and its re-location to the building of the Powysland Museum,” the letter states.

“The implications are those of reduced space, staffing, resources and services for both the Library and the Museum, which would be detrimental to both the quality and range of public services they offer.”

The letter goes on to make the case for reversing any decision to press ahead with the co-location, which is expected to take place in the coming months.

“The Powysland Museum is significant to Welshpool and its hinterland in that it provides presentations of the history and archaeology of the area, accepts archival material and by virtue of its function provides an invaluable social, educational and economic service,” the letter concludes.

“Whilst we recognise the harsh economic times we are all experiencing, investment in such long term valuable services as museums are an investment in the future.

“The social, educational and economic benefits of museums may be summarised as facilitating community rejuvenation and regeneration through exhibitions, creativity and innovation in the presentation and interpretation of the past. Thus promoting education, local identity, tourism and visitors, and the local economy.

“We believe that the decision taken by the Council is not in the best interest of the community, for the reasons stated, and does not meet the requirements of national and local policy. We strongly urge the Council to reconsider its decision.”

Thousands of people have signed a petition to stop the co-location, but campaigners fear the decision has already been made with the public consultation, the tone of which was fiercely criticised, merely a process that the cash-strapped council has to go through.