Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ93428

Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 it is the responsibility of local authorities to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” public library service. Welsh Government support for public libraries is primarily through the local government settlement.

However, the Welsh Government also supports the development of local libraries across Wales. We have just announced an investment of over £900,000 to fund a shared digital library platform for our local library services. This investment will ensure that in the future all library users across Wales are able to access a more consistent and improved service. With the Capital Transformation Grant Fund Welsh Government supports the modernisation of facilities to upgrade access, enable joint service working and renew the offer to users. The Welsh Government also invests in schemes delivered by local libraries including the Summer Reading Challenge to support reading by children, and the ‘Reading Well’ Scheme which provides free access to books chosen by health professionals, along with people and their carers’ with lived experience of mental health conditions. Welsh Government supports the National Digital Library Service, providing access to electronic resources for all public libraries in Wales.