A backlash against proposals to move the library into the Shire Hall saw an emergency meeting called by the Friends of Monmouth Library held on Monday.

A two week ‘user survey’ by Monlife - the branch of the county council that delivers leisure, youth and outdoor education - is asking library users to ‘share their thoughts’ on the suggested relocation of the library and community learning services into the Shire Hall.

The ‘thoughts’ expressed at the meeting on Monday, varied from “shocked” to “incandescent with rage” as the details of the relocation were revealed in the survey.

The meeting was opened by Helen Wragg of the Friends group and the user survey was handed out.

The Monlife survey says that the amount of dedicated library and community learning space would be similar to that which is currently offered in the Rolls Hall as the library services would be housed on three floors of the Shire Hall, using the committee room on the ground floor which housed the library back in the 1970s and two other spaces in the Shire Hall.

Frances Green, who worked in the library when it was located in the Shire Hall, said access then proved “incredibly difficult” and there was insufficient space in those days for books. “I devised the first teenage section in Monmouthshire and the first lending library for cassettes and there wasn’t sufficient space then, so moving forward, with a very different set of requirements, that space was inefficient in the 1970s and I maintain it is grossly inefficient in the current world.”

Although since then a lift was installed in the £4.5 million upgrade works in 2010, another pointed out the lift had broken down the other day.

Gail Brehany, an independent town councillor, questioned the safeguarding issues of manning three different spaces in the Shire Hall as she understood at present, the library has the equivalent of four staff which provides safeguarding in the present library.

Cllr Rob Purcell, chair of the town council planning committee said the town council looked at the December 2024 plans for the Shire Hall which shows the various places labelled for their envisaged uses.

Cllr Brehany, vice chair of the committee added that they were told the library as identified on the plan was “for the archive documents from the museum”.

“We had no idea whatsoever that there was any question the library and the hub was going to be in that space, that question was asked,” she added.

Not only does the library offer a lending service, but now holds a number of community activities and groups, with eight computer stations with free wifi, early years activities, a weekly visit by the Registrar to allow residents to register a death, a twice weekly job centre which coaches job seekers as well as a Barclays banking hub.

Richard Cotterill, Treasurer of Friends, said he has drawn up a list of people who can be lobbied, including the user groups, all the schools, as well as the town council, civic society and Bridges, “all those who have an interest in what’s going on.

“What happens to this fantastic place? At the moment, it’s really good” he added.

He explained that MP Catherine Fookes is the chair of The Friends of Monmouth Library and said that she has offered her press and communications team to help with any future engagement with the press or the public.”

Another meeting has been called for Thursday in the library which, although closed, access will be through the side door.

After the meeting, Cllr David Evans, Mayor of Monmouth said :” I was surprised and disappointed with the lack of notice and a very short timescale to give feedback. Additionally, as there has not been a means of feedback other than completing a paper form, this will reduce the number of residents able to contribute. I would encourage as many residents as possible to complete the forms which can be found in the hub/library foyer and Shire Hall reception.

“Residents can pick up a copy of the questionnaire either at Monmouth Library or on Thursday if they come to the public consultation on the proposed Osbaston Medical Centre being held in Shire Hall,” he added.

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: We are currently conducting an initial informal listening exercise with users of Monmouth Library and Shire Hall regarding potential future development. This will help inform our application for lottery funding. If the bid is successful and before making any decisions on the plans, the council will hold a full public consultation later this year to allow residents to provide their feedback. We welcome all responses and the forms can be found in the library and Shire Hall."

The Beacon understands that an official MCC press release is coming on Thursday with a full public second-stage consultation in the summer.

A petition against the proposals can be found here: https://chng.it/rshYjKyX7f