CITY councillors have come to the rescue of St Davids Library after its opening hours were threatened by budget cuts.

The facility was one of 11 static libraries which came under review by Pembrokeshire County Council last year, as it looked to reduce the costs of delivering the service.

St Davids Library has been in City Hall since 1982 and is currently open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Following a public consultation, which looked at which days and times are the busiest, the County Council came up with the recommendation to reduce Tuesday’s hours and close on Fridays.

The City Council requested that the library be open all day on Thursday to coincide with market day and that it be open late afternoons for school children.

Both parties have come to an agreement, which sees the City Council provide financial support allowing the library to open from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm on both Tuesdays and Thursdays as of April 1.

The Mayor of St Davids, Councillor David Halse stressed what an important facility the library is in the community.

He said: “City councillors were absolutely adamant that we should work with the County Council to try to resolve the issue of the reduction of hours, hence the offer of financial support.

“We will be covering the costs of the premises, utility bills and pay for the additional staffing. The initial agreement is for one year.”

The City Council is also keen to recruit volunteer library assistants to help further extend the service.

The County Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Cllr Elwyn Morse, said: “We are delighted to reach an agreement with the City Council which will enable this popular facility to closely replicate the current opening hours.”

St Davids Library and Information Assistant, Lorna Johns added: “I’m so pleased the City Council has agreed to provide funding, and I think the people of St Davids will recognise that commitment.

“The library is a very busy, lively place where lots of people drop in, meet each other and have a chat.”