Library Professionals Seek Urgent Support Amid Unprecedented Service Cuts

Library professionals are appealing to the Scottish government for immediate assistance concerning “severe cuts” to services that have been put forward by multiple local authorities. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) has communicated with Finance Secretary Shona Robison, cautioning about reductions in funding and services at a scale “never seen before”. Several financially constrained local councils have put forward proposals for permanent facility closures, reductions in personnel, and decreased operating hours. Among the libraries designated for closure are 13 in Aberdeenshire, seven in Moray, and five in Perth and Kinross. Councils state that library usage has declined, with individuals now accessing books and information through alternative methods. Nevertheless, six facilities in North Lanarkshire were preserved in October, following the council’s reversal of a prior closure decision. Sean McNamara, who serves as the director of CILIPS, commented that the extent of these cuts represents “something we’ve never seen before in Scotland”. He characterized the proposals from the councils as “uncharted territory”. Local authorities are legally mandated to offer library services. They have put forward mitigating solutions, including click-and-collect options and mobile library units, as alternative methods for providing library resources. However, Mr. McNamara views these as beneficial supplementary services, rather than sufficient substitutes for libraries staffed by professional librarians. He stated: “Losing these libraries as well as losing opening hours in different parts of the country would have a huge impact.” These plans would contradict numerous priorities of the Scottish government, such as fostering economic growth, addressing the climate emergency, and eliminating child poverty. Mr. McNamara further added: “All of these things libraries play a key part in.” Multiple advocacy groups have been opposing the suggested closures in various regions, with the latest demonstration occurring in Moray. “It’s offering some real hope and it shows how much the Scottish public value the libraries,” Mr. McNamara commented. Richard Rutnagur is a member of Save Our Rural Libraries, an organization established by residents from Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie, and Scone. Their objective is to prevent the closure of five libraries within Perth and Kinross. Mr. Rutnagur believes that local authorities perceive library services as a convenient target for cuts. He remarked: “Superficially, there are less book transactions and borrowings because people have e-books, people consume more stuff digitally.” “That traditional model of book-lending is an out of date way of looking at libraries and if you just go on that data, you miss the point.” Richard advocates for the continued operation of the local Comrie library, representing his neighbor who utilizes the facility weekly. He suggests that for the elderly widower, these visits contribute to maintaining independence and intellectual engagement. “It becomes so much more than just a transaction of our books,” he stated. The activists have urged Perth and Kinross Council to suspend the closure initiatives until both its own budget and the Scottish government’s budget receive approval. They contend that additional funds proposed for allocation to councils, combined with a council tax hike, could be utilized to maintain the operation of the threatened facilities. Following a Perth and Kinross Council meeting, during which a three-year council tax increase strategy was approved, council leader Grant Laing commented: “I believe that the approach we are taking locally will give us the flexibility to reconsider difficult decisions that we have made in the past.” He identified library provisions as one of these “difficult decisions”. He indicated that the proposed council tax increase and the additional funding from the Scottish government could provide “an opportunity to focus on local needs rather than just where we can make savings”. Nevertheless, Mr. Laing noted that certain sectors, such as health and social care services, would receive priority during budgetary allocations. The council’s definitive budget proposal is scheduled for a vote at a meeting in February 2025. Other local authorities that have suggested reductions in library services are either conducting consultations with residents or assessing their input. Live Life Aberdeenshire, responsible for delivering library services for the council, has invited residents to a series of public consultation events to discuss future provisions after the 13 vulnerable libraries cease operations next year. The organization’s aim is to “continue to provide an element of face-to-face contact with our communities in the future, albeit this might be in a different location or delivered in a different way.” It intends to operate a network of 18 remaining libraries, complemented by doorstep deliveries, click-and-collect options, and other digital services. Moray Council, with seven libraries designated for closure, reported an “exceptional” level of engagement in its recent public consultation. The feedback from residents will undergo analysis and be presented to councillors, who are anticipated to decide on the current proposals to close seven libraries early in the new year. On Wednesday, Finance Secretary Shona Robison, while detailing her plans for the upcoming year’s budget, announced a “record” investment exceeding £15 billion for local authorities. She stated that a proposed £1 billion increase in funding for councils should preclude them from implementing any “large” tax hikes. A spokesperson for the Scottish government commented: “While it will be for councils to make their own decisions, with record funding, councils should be able to revisit previous challenging decisions and there is no reason for big increases in council tax next year.”