Culture Secretary: Scotland's library closures are a 'concern for everybody'

Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Scotland, said the country’s network must be “supported and protected” but added that work was required to keep services relevant to communities amid falling visitor numbers and the changing way information was received.

It comes as around 20 libraries in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross face closure with discussions continuing given strong community kick-back against proposals.

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As councils look to sell off library buildings, alternative homes for library services - from sports centres to existing community halls - have been proposed at a community level in some cases in a bid to retain a library in a physcial space.

Mr Robertson attended the launch of National Library of Scotland’s centenary year celebrations in Edinburgh this week

When asked about the proposed library closures, he said: “I think it is a concern for everybody that there might be a reduction in library services.

“We need to do everything that we can to help protect and support libraries, make them more relevant for people and for communities and I think there is some excellent examples of innovation where the provision of local services to people is taking place through libraries in a way that it wasn’t before.”

Falkirk libraries have been praised for their work in branching out services with events including Words for Wellbeing, which aims to tackle social isolation with a cup of tea and chat in a fortnightly friendly group. Gardening packs can also be borrowed with tools, seeds and recipe cards included to encourage people to grow their own food.

Mr Robertson said that he met with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) this week to discuss proposed library closures.

He said: “It is a question that Scotland’s national government and local government have a responsibility to work together to make sure that Scotland remains a country of libraries, not just in a historical and current sense but in a future where people’s access to information is changing radically .Most people do that now through screens and not books.

“At a time when we are thinking about how culture can play an increasing role in health and well being, I think that has a real opportunity for us to rethink what libraries might be for.

“They are places to read, to research and to relax and stay warm and access digital services, but most libraries have meeting rooms and facilities which lend themselves very well to community organisations and projects and help in the health and wellbeing space.

“When we are thinking about a preventative approach to health , this is an area where culture and health - but also other areas of public life -can be focussed through the library network which remains for many communities the public access hub for their town and community.”

In Aberdeenshire, opening hours at 13 libraries earmarked for closure dropped from 164.5 hours a week in 2019/2020 to 97 hours a week last year. Amid the restricted hours, footfall dropped from 141,451 hours to 88,160 with the reduced hours, according to reports.

Criticisms have been made that services have not been maintained at acceptable levels.

Aberdeenshire Council said that decisions on the future of the 13 libraries would be taken by councillors on February 13.