Neil Hamilton, MS for Mid & West Wales, and Leader of UKIP Wales has welcomed news more councils will soon be offering a ‘Click & Collect’ service for library books.

Mr Hamilton, a member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs committee, said he was delighted to hear libraries in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will be offering this service from July 1 and 2 respectively.

He said:“The lockdown due to coronavirus has been especially hard for those of us who love to read books. For many, a weekly trip to the local library was a welcome opportunity to browse the shelves and pick up something to read but this has simply not been possible since late March.

“Powys and Ceredigion councils already offer a Click & Collect system whereby people can order books on line and arrange a pick up time. I am pleased to see other councils in Mid & West Wales will also be offering this service later this week.

“I am a great supporter of the written word and have been passionate about books, especially second hand and antiquarian books, since childhood. Nothing can substitute for an actual book and they can never be superseded by the Internet or kindle.

 “There is nothing better than sitting down and reading the pages of a good book. Strict lock down restrictions are still in place in Wales so many people still have more time on their hands so will, I am sure, welcome this service.”

Libraries in Carmarthenshire are set to return with a click and collect service from Wednesday, July 1 when members will be able to order a selection of books to collect from the county council’s libraries at Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli. 

A delivery service is being developed for those who are still shielding in line with Welsh Government advice.

Library members will be able to pre-order titles through an online catalogue or by calling a dedicated library phone line where they will be offered a choice of subjects and genres. 

Staff will then provide an allocated time slot for members to collect books from one of the three town centre libraries or arrange for them to be delivered if required. Visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/libraries or call 01267 234567 for further details.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “We are so pleased to be able to offer this new service to our library members. We appreciate how difficult the lockdown has been for people and having access to a good range of reading material will be welcomed by our members.”

The first phase of restarting Pembrokeshire’s library service will begin on Thursday July 2 with the launch of a new Order and Collect service. From this date libraries in Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Tenby will begin accepting orders for the new service.

Orders can be placed online via the Order and Collect form at: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/libraries-reopening or over the phone by contacting one of the five libraries operating the service.