Islwyn’s Labour MP Chris Evans has backed a campaign supporting local libraries.
Mr Evans teamed up with comedian and author Tony Hawkes to show his support for libraries at the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries.
The Libraries All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) was set up by Members of Parliament with the support of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.
Mr Evans recently spoke out in the House of Commons in support of residents and local councillors who have been campaigning to save Aberbargoed Library from closure.
Caerphilly County Borough Council wants to close the library after opening a new one in Bargoed.
Mr Evans said: “I am delighted to join the All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries and have the opportunity to speak up for libraries across the UK.
“In Islwyn we have several libraries which are central to their community. That is why I spoke in Parliament recently on the impact the closure of Aberbargoed Library will have on the area.
“Young people will miss out on valuable reading resources while elderly people
will be denied internet access.
“Communities throughout Wales benefit from the services which our libraries offer and they make a fantastic contribution to all of our lives.”
After raising the issue in Parliament last month, Mr Evans was told by the Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries that libraries were a devolved matter for the Welsh Government.
The Minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “As the hon. Gentleman knows, the duty to superintend the library service is devolved to the Welsh Government. What I would say to Caerphilly borough council, which I believe is led by Plaid Cymru although there is no overall control, is that I am delighted it is investing in its library service and that it has opened or refurbished six of its libraries.”