WELSHPOOL Library could end up at the town's Powysland Museum to free up the building on Brook Street for office workers.

It is thought that the move which could happen in April will be made to relocate staff from Neuadd Maldwyn on Severn Road.

In a meeting held behind closed doors earlier this year, Powys Councillors had decided to sell off Neuadd Maldwyn with staff either relocated to Newtown or found an alternative office in Welshpool.

Graham Breeze, County Councillor for the Llanerchyddol Ward in Welshpool said: “I have protested loudly at the proposed downgrading of any services in Welshpool but Powys County Council's (PCC) cabinet is going ahead with the decision.

“Consultations have been taking place with Welshpool Town Council in a bid to preserve library and museum services in an acceptable format.”

Some residents living near the library believe that it is being sacrificed to open up road access to the Mid Wales Housing development at the former Social Club site at Bron-y-Buckley.

But PCC has stressed this is not the case.

A spokesman for PCC said: "There are two connected issues regarding Welshpool Library.

"Possible plans to co-located the library within the museum and the review of office accommodation in the north of the county – there is no connection with any other development."

Cllr Rachel Powell, Cabinet Member for Culture, explained: “One of the models that we have adopted successfully is to co-locate our libraries into other buildings and with other services.

"We have done this with great success in a number of towns across the county including Builth Wells, Knighton, Llandrindod Wells and Llanidloes.

“Supplemented by the online library catalogue, which enables our residents to order books from anywhere in the county, and the e-books and other e-resources that are available 24/7 from home, this is transforming how people use libraries and the range of services that they are able to access in one location.

“However, we must continue to review all services and look at ways of making them cost-effective and sustainable.

"One option that we are currently exploring is co-locating Welshpool Library in Powysland Museum in the town.

"We will be engaging service users later this autumn about our proposal.”

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Assets, said: “We have been carrying out a review of county council accommodation across the county.

"This review has been looking at buildings and office accommodation to assess their suitability for future service delivery.

"The review is also determining if the buildings are fit-for-purpose for both front office and back office functions and whether they support the council’s move towards an ‘agile’ working model.

“Cabinet has agreed to close Neuadd Maldwyn at the earliest opportunity subject to establishing a cost-effective alternative front line location in Welshpool.

"If an alternative is found, there would be an opportunity for somebody to develop Neuadd Maldwyn, which would benefit the council, the town and the county.”

Earlier this month, Social Services revealed that they hoped to use libraries and leisure centres as walk in centres for people needing help and advice.

It was seen as part of relaunching a new version of the Powys People Direct call centre in the new year.