CONCERNS have been raised about the future of Barry's mobile library, after figures revealed that a shockingly low number of people were using the service.

The pop-up library service is delivered by Barry Town Council in partnership with the Vale and a meeting this week, members discussed whether tax payers were getting value for money for the £12,000 per year the scheme costs to run.

The Vale's original mobile library service was withdrawn in 2011/12 to save money. In 2014 Barry Town Council stepped in to cover the costs and retain the service which provides books to borrow for people who cannot otherwise get to a library.

Figures printed this week show that in the first four months of this year the mobile library - which visits care homes and sheltered housing around Barry on a three week rota - has issued out just 399 books which equates to a cost of around £10 per book.

Councillor Ian Johnson told the full meeting of Barry Town council: "I don't think that's good value for money.

"For that cost we might as well have just bought them all a book each."

He called for "more imagination" to be used in making the service a success.

Councillor Nic Hodges also aired concerns saying that the numbers were "very, very, very disappointing".

"I honestly wonder how we can consider even continuing this service, let alone extending it," he said.

Councillor Anthony Powell called for more time to be given to the scheme and a more positive attitude in how the council views its future.

"When ever you do anything which is new it often takes some time for people to start coming," he said.

"I think this is a service in its infancy and I think we should persevere with this."

Councillor Margaret Wilkinson added that "more ideas" were needed as well as more discussions with local libraries to turn around the fortunes of the scheme.

Councillor Claire Curtis said: "There are good recommendations in the report but we need to speak with the libraries as well.

"People are benefitting from this scheme, but not enough people."

The council agreed to continue providing support for the scheme and to organise a meeting with library staff to explore the future of the service.