Visits to public libraries including Newtown are higher than the Welsh average.
Powys County Council’s Cabinet were considering the 2014-15 annual report into the council’s Library Service at their meeting when the information was highlighted.
The report has been published by the Welsh Government.
The report said that the library service met 17 of the 18 Welsh Public Library Standards core entitlements and partially met one.
The report also found that virtual library visits were also higher than the Welsh average, that there were high levels of customer care and that 96 per cent of library users rated their overall library experience as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.
The report also acknowledged most Powys libraries offer access to a variety of council services adding ‘this model, together with some co-location is seen as offering a sustainable way forward to accessing public services in a rural county’.
Cllr Graham Brown, Cabinet Member for Library Service, welcomed the report and said: “The report highlights a number of positives including the high levels of customer care our library members receive and the overall experience library members have is also highly rated.
“We are always looking at innovative ways to provide this service differently because of the growing financial pressures we face.
“The successful relocation of Llandrindod Wells Library to the Gwalia is an example of this innovative work, which saw 500 new members join in the first six months of the library moving and book loans to children going up by 36 per cent.
“Due to the financial pressures we have experienced over the last several years, investment in the library service has been limited. However, the service is performing above average and this is down to the outstanding staff we have working within the service.
“The findings of the report will be carefully considered as we look to maintain the level of service our library members currently receive.”
