PEOPLE have been urged to have their say on the ongoing consultation about the future of Wellington Library and get ‘their voices heard’.

A consultation process being carried out by Somerset County Council regarding possible changes to the library service in the town has been extended until Wednesday, June 13.

The future of libraries across Somerset is being looked at and the ongoing consultation gives two possible options for the Wellington facility – leave it as it is or form a partnership with the local community to run it.

The county council has indicated that it would cost £78,000 to run the library a year and would be willing to offer £5,000 a year if the town council took it on as a community project.

Town councillors have already come to the conclusion that the library could not be run by volunteers only and is in active talks with the local Library Friends Group to see what can be done.

Wellington Town Council members heard that the Friends Group had confirmed that the library could not be run solely by volunteers.

Town clerk Greg Dyke said: “The Friends Group has confirmed that while it would continue to promote and support the library it did not have the resources or expertise to take on any organisational role.”

But Mr Dyke added: “The Friends have offered to look into the possibility of acting as volunteers alongside trained library staff.

“It has also been suggested that rooms in the building be let commercially to raise income and on a more positive note it has been said that more should be done to promote the library and the facilities available within it.

“By increasing usage this would send a message that this service should be maintained.”

The consultation about Wellington Library can be found at www.somerset.gov.uk/

librariesconsultation and people who have already taken part in it have been asked to look at it again as more information has been included.

The Mayor, Cllr Gary James, speaking at the latest town council meeting, said: “I would urge everyone to get involved with the consultation and get their voices heard.”