Posted on: Tuesday 11 January 2022
A temporary reduction in library opening hours comes into effect next week.
It means Pontypool Library will be closed on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, and Pontypool, Cwmbran and Blaenavon libraries will close early on Saturdays.
The decision, which was approved by cabinet members in November, was made to help manage staff shortages while a review of Torfaen Council's library service is carried out.
Residents can still use the Request and Collect service, which was the first to be introduced in Wales last year in response to the pandemic.
Elderly or vulnerable people can also sign up for the Libraries@Home delivery service.
Residents can follow the library service on Facebook by following @TorfaenLibraries to find out about the range of different activities.
Councillor Joanne Gauden, Executive member for Skills, Economy and Regeneration, said: “We want to ensure that our libraries service is well-placed to meet the changing needs of our residents. To do this, we need to pause and reflect on how the pandemic has changed customer use and habits. Our libraries have a lot more to offer beyond our book collections.
“It makes sense that the hours are reduced during the quieter times, but we still want to make sure that there is ample opportunity for people to visit our libraries.”
The new Saturday opening hours will be:
Saturday Pontypool – 9am – 1pm
Saturday Cwmbran – 8:45am – 1pm
Saturday Blaenavon – 10am – 2pm
The new week day opening hours will be:
Pontypool
Monday – Closed as usual
Tuesday – 2pm-7pm
Wednesday – 9am – 5pm
Thursday – 9am – 1pm
Friday – 9am – 5pm
Cwmbran
Monday – 9am – 5.30pm
Tuesday – 9am – 5.30pm
Wednesday – Closed as usual
Thursday – 8.45am – 7pm
Friday – 8.45am – 6pm
Blaenavon
Monday – Closed as usual
Tuesday – 10am – 5pm
Wednesday – 10am – 5pm
Thursday – 10am – 5pm
Friday – 10am – 5pm
The temporary reduction in library opening hours is due to be reviewed in the next financial year.
It's free to join the library - take proof of your name and address to any of our libraries, or Join the Library Service online.
For information about the Request and Collect and Libraries@Home services, call Cwmbran Library on 01633 647676.