Following the 'distressing news' that the town is not to get its promised new-build library, the Friends Of Abergavenny Library Services (FOALS) are now focusing on persuading the powers-that-be to pursue the best possible alternative.

FOALS chairman Matthew Plumb is adamant that a merged service located in the town hall is not feasible because the site is not large enough and has architectural and logistical problems.

He says he and most of his fellow campaigners consider the vacant Richards building in Frogmore Street the best option and he hopes that the entire group will unite behind this view and that Monmouthshire County Council will decide to buy the building outright and refurbish it to the required standard.

Matthew questions whether MCC has the right to reallocate the £3.433m set aside for the building of a new library to the capital programme without public consultation - a move which, he feels, 'raises the question of trust and responsibility.'

"The £3.433m very nearly meets the savings MCC want to make over the next three years. Is it right Abergavenny should meet this saving?" he asks.

Matthew is also concerned that MCC's plans to reduce the number of library staff from 43 to 30 will lead to the service employing untrained volunteers.

"Every town needs a good public library, particularly from a social perspective," he said.

"Our current library has many 'value added' services such as the Baby Rhyme team and the Scrabble club.

"It's a place where the generations mix, where people can meet and get to know their neighbours.

"A library creates an environment that is enlightening and beneficial. And it can have a real relevance in helping people keep pace with changing technology.

"The decision not to give the town a new library makes me lose all confidence in MCC.

"It makes them seem inept and incapable of making decisions on behalf of our community."

Matthew says he will never forget the first time he was taken to a library, aged about seven.

"Having a library card, taking out a book and discussing it with the librarian made me feel so grown up and gave me such a sense of responsibility."

He says that at a time of high youth unemployment the local library has a vital role to play in areas such as helping young people to become computer literate and raising their aspirations and that a library needs properly qualified staff who can point users to the right information, help them with their CVs and so on.

Matthew is currently creating links with Friends groups in Cardiff where, after hundreds of people recently protested about the planned closure of seven libraries, the city council has agreed to defer any decision until 2016/17.

"We accept that the Carnegie library in Abergavenny is not fit for purpose any more, with the population of the town increasing. But the town hall simply isn't big enough," he said.

"The Richards building has more space and is convenient for people using the bus. There is also potential for parking at the back.

"Our next move will be to call an emergency general meeting of FOALS and invite one of the council officers to come along. We must persist in informing the debate with the council."

He added, "Anyone who thinks libraries are a thing of the past is being naive - they are a key part of our future.

"Abergavenny needs a library that is a focal part of the new community hub, adequately staffed and housed within an adequate space."

A spokesman for MCC said that no timescale has been agreed so far for considering the options for the community hub but the council wanted to move forward 'as soon as possible'.

He said it was 'agreed council policy' that the money originally set aside for the new-build could be transferred into the capital budget.

He added, "Volunteers will not be recruited to replace trained staff. Any volunteers will provide added value."