Friends of the Abergavenny Library Service (FOALS) is urging people to let MCC know their feelings over the future of the town's library.

With fears arising over the past few months about the possible closures of Usk and Gilwern libraries, FOALS is keen that local people take a hand in deciding what happens in Abergavenny.

The current carnegie library on Baker Street is in need of repairs, and, with the move of the cattle market to Raglan, it was originally proposed that a new library be constructed on the site along with the Morrisons supermarket.

The construction of Morrisons is now set to go ahead next year, but it is still undecided whether plans for a new state-of-the-art library, at a cost of £3.5 million, will come to fruition.

Bill Kenwright, vice chairman of FOALS said, "The current Abergavenny Library has over 7,000 members so with a population of 14,000 people in the town over half have a stake in it.

"Because of this, we think it's important that we are kept informed about what is happening with the library, because at the moment it is in limbo."

The group has been in discussions with MCC leader, Councillor Peter Fox, and asked for information about future plans for the library and its services.

Councillor Fox said in his response to the group, "At the moment plans for regeneration of Abergavenny town centre include a new library. This would be at a cost of around £3.5 million which would be paid for from the receipt gained from the sale of the old cattle market.

"Over recent months and of late there has been much debate about the plans for a new library and we are receiving conflicting views over the desire or indeed the need for a new library.

"Recent correspondence I have received has suggested that the significant investment should be made into the existing library thus saving a huge amount of capital monies.

"We have also received a lot of feedback from our public engagement events with several views about library provision in Monmouthshire and we need to understand this feedback as well."

In October, Monmouthshire County Council held public meetings to discuss the future of the county in relation to the huge budget savings of £9 million that need to be found, and in these meetings a lot of concern was raised over library services.

Since the proposal for the new library was made it has received mixed reviews, some feeling that it would be a huge asset to the town in the digital age. But Councillor Douglas Edwards said in July that he was against the proposal and felt the money would be better spent elsewhere.

Due to these mixed opinions, and the fact that the council is unsure of the future of the library services, FOALS has set up a consultation to give people of the town and library users an opportunity to say whether they would prefer to see a new library built on the old cattle market site or have the current building refurbished.

The consultation period will run until December 16, and FOALS hopes that as many people as possible will take part.

Stephen Cox, chairman of FOALS said, "We want people to let us know what their views are on the situation, by filling in the forms available from Abergavenny Library and returning them either to the library, or sending their thoughts to us via email on [email protected]">[email protected]."

FOALS also suggests that if people have concerns, they should raise them with their local councillors, to ensure that the issue does not get lost in the ether and that those in charge know what the town really wants.

Councillor Fox has expressed his appreciation for the feedback from FOALS, and said, "I would very much welcome the views of your management committee about the future library service in Abergavenny and what form you believe it should take.

"As a key stakeholder the committee's views would be extremely valuable."

Stephen Cox added, "I do hope that many people take the time to either fill in one of our forms or contact their councillors, as the library, whether it be a new building or the old one regenerated, is vital to our town.