Tensions were high in Hay-on-Wye as library users met with Powys County Councillor Rachel Powell to discuss potential solutions to save the town’s library.

Cllr Powell started her tour of under-threat libraries at the Kingdom of Books on Monday morning where she was greeted by around 30 people.

The library, now co-located with the new Hay-on-Wye primary school, is one of ten smaller rural libraries which is being threatened with closure.

Powys council is looking to save £200,000 from its library service, understood to fund the libraries’ professional staff, threatening both smaller libraries and the mobile library.

During the consultation, Cllr Powell was accused of passing the responsibility as she was confronted about disused library buildings and the new library building in Brecon.

Voices rose in the discussion after it was suggested that residents could travel to larger libraries in Powys.

One woman said: “There are ten rural libraries and not everyone can easily travel from here to Brecon.

“We are resentful that the ten rural libraries are the ones being hit – ten rural libraries in one of Wales’ largest rural areas.”

Another woman said: “Brecon library is not a solution. It’s currently soaking up most of the resources as it is.

“It’s a very nice new facility in Brecon, but there’s no information about the final cost, the cost of the building or the cost of running it.

“We’re being asked to pick up the dribs and the drabs but we don’t know where the money is going.”

However the Independent Group councillor responded that she couldn’t answer as it was a property based issue.

She said: “’I’m here to talk about the libraries, not property and this is a property issue.

“I’m here to talk about this library, not the Hay building or the Brecon library building.”

However the portfolio holder for young people and culture’s response seemed to rile the crowd.

One man at the meeting responded: “There’s a lot of passing the buck going on here.”

Another woman said: “There’s a lot of smaller libraries closing, but Brecon’s got a new library and they already had one.

“We’ve always had a library in Hay since the 1930s, but now our money is going to support other areas.”

There was also outrage at the new Y Gaer Hub in Brecon, which has overspent on its original budget.

The Powys council representative for Hay Gareth Ratcliffe said he was concerned about the effect on the wider community.

He said: “Unless we can have an actual strategy for the next five to ten years time, we’ll be in this exact same situation again.

“It’s not just about the books, the library is a community space and a safe space – it’s a safe place for people escaping from domestic abuse or people with disabilities.”

The meeting discussed the idea of a community hub model for the library, which also receives funding from the Hay Festival, which could house small groups and activities.

The meeting spoke of more community use of the space out of usual library hours as it can be booked for £10 per hour.

It was suggested that the money could be raised by the community and community interest groups, however due to statutory rights it could not be used to pay staff like a librarian.

The potential of lottery funding was also put forward, however it was dismissed due to the lengthy application process.

Anita Wright of Hay-on-Wye Library Supporters (HOWLS) said they had been writing to Hay Town Council, who she said cannot be expected to save the library, as well as lobbying Powys council.

She said that one of HOWLS concerns was employing a trained librarian rather than relying on a volunteer force which can be unreliable.

The drop-in events started in Hay and Talgarth on Monday before continuing onto Llanfair Caereinion and Llanfyllin on Tuesday, and Knighton and Presteigne yesterday (Wednesday).

They are also due to be held today at Llanwrtyd Wells from 10am until 12pm and Builth Wells from 1pm until 3pm, and tomorrow at Llanidloes from 9.30am until 11.30am and at Rhayader library from 12.30pm until 2.30pm.

One woman said she was concerned by the timing of the drop-in sessions as they have all been during the day.

However Cllr Powell said she could not commit to evening meetings due to the number of threatened libraries, her “busy portfolio” and having a young family.

She said: “I also feel that this is in appropriate time as it’s when the library is normally open so I feel it addresses the usual footfall of the library.”

However the woman responded that she felt cynical about the response.

She said: “I have every sympathy but I want someone who can come and talk to the wider community who knows what they’re talking about if you’re not available.

“Don’t come in front of us, a room full of intelligent people and say that we’re only here when the library is open when there is the wider community.

“It feels a bit like the ears-back sort of decision made when the libraries were co-located and the hours reduced which reduced the footfall in the first place.”

Fears were voiced at the meeting that libraries in Powys could disappear fully with potential future cuts which could affect larger libraries in areas like Brecon.

Cllr Powell said: “A lot of people seem to think I’m all for this, but I’m not.

“I’ve argued against this and for keeping the libraries, I need your input to help me and your voices really would be appreciated.”

They drop in sessions are forming part of the library review by Powys council which allows Powys residents to have their say.

To take part in the review, which runs until Sunday, April 28, you can view the online consultation survey here: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/6816/Library-Review