A BID by a group of local people to save library services in Narberth has stepped up a gear.

The Friends of Narberth Library have become a formally constituted organisation at a special meeting last Sunday night.

Following support from the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, the group has settled upon four main aims that it hopes will allow it to work with Pembrokeshire County Council and Narberth Town Council to sustain a library service for the people of Narberth and the many surrounding communities.

Speaking to the Western Telegraph, Friends of Narberth Library chair, Marc Tierney, said: “I’m really pleased that the group has taken the next step – it gives us a mandate to move forward with discussions with Pembrokeshire County Council who confirmed last month that without our support the library would close.

“We felt that given the views of the local community, a replacement mobile service was simply unacceptable.”

“It’ll be a busy few months ahead, but we’re getting on with making plans to maintain a librarian-led service with the support of volunteers. Narberth library must remain open for at least 12 hours each week. To do that, we need people with an interest in the library service to come forward, not just to be present within the library assisting with day to day tasks but to also take forward fundraising and marketing opportunities too.”

For further information call 07903 794693 or email marc@marctierney.org.uk

*The Friends of Narberth Library group now has 165 friends on Facebook but could do with some more, to spread the message that plans continue to save the service for local people.

For further information visit: www.facebook.com and search for Friends of Narberth Library