A VILLAGE library in Wrexham is vital to the community say councillors as consultation begins that could potentially see it closed.

Llay Library is one of many within the county being subjected to a consultation process to determine the way Wrexham council will deliver such services in the future.

At a meeting of Llay Community Council on Wednesday, local residents and library users were encouraged to attend a session being held at the library on Friday.

Cllr Rob Walsh said the meeting represented the perfect opportunity for people to go along and let the council know just how important the library is and what it means to them, or else they run risk of it being closed down.

He said: "If nobody from Llay takes part in the consultation, particularly if you're a library user, they (Wrexham council) will look at that and think "nobody cares about Llay Library, we may as well shut it".

"So we really need to fight for Llay and show them how much we value, not just the library, but the excellent service it provides. We've got three members of staff who've been there since the library opened 15 years ago and they've been exemplary, we need to fly the flag for them as well."

Cllr Bryan Apsley, Chair of the Community Council, echoed Cllr Walsh comments and called for Llay residents to show their support for the library by taking part in the consultation process.

He said: "Some of the proposals, and they've already tried it at Gwersyllt I believe, include the move to self-service and having nobody there on occasions, it's bound to have an effect on the workforce. If there was any hint of retirement, they wouldn't replace if they felt they didn't need to.

"I just dread the prospect of gaining access to the library using a code. Although 99 percent of people living in Llay, you've always got that tiny minority in every village who are going to cause trouble."

Cllr Sandra Apsley said the library was used by many elderly residents in the village, with it acting much more than a place to read and study.

She said: "For many of the elderly, it's a place they can get together.

"They don't want to have to use a self-service system. They appreciate having the staff there. They don't want to lose that.

"It's also the younger ones too, part of their education is about reading and getting together with their mums, dads and other family members."

Cllr John O'Keefe added how it would be "devastating" if the library was closed and that it was a service that should be "promoted".

The consultation session will take place at the library on Friday, between 3-5pm.