Socio-linguistic changes in Wales: implications for public library providers in rural bi-lingual communities

This paper discusses some of the wider issues that have arisen from the results obtained by The Teifi Library Project - an investigation of the library and information requirements of the users of mobile library services in the bi-lingual area of South Ceredigion, in Dyfed, Wales; an area which has seen significant demo graphic changes in the last ten years. The project revealed that changes in the nature of the rural communities in recent years, in particular in their lin guistic make-up has resulted in a change in borrowing patterns and library needs, which now necessitates a corresponding response from the providers of the mobile library ser vice. It is recommended that library authorities serving bi-lingual rural communities regularly monitor lin guistic changes in the communities they serve and subsequently reassess their provision sensitively in the light of community needs.