Save our Libraries

Save Perthshire's libraries. Join the campaign.

Libraries are a vital resource at the heart of our communities. But across Perthshire they're at risk of being lost forever.

Libraries are central hubs that provide a safe, welcoming space to study, learn, play, borrow, and find advice and support. They run events, provide access to books, newspapers, comics, music, films, computers and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach.

But now seven libraries across Perth and Kinross Council, many in rural areas that rely heavily on them, face closure due to cuts:

Scone
North Inch (Perth)
Dunkeld & Birnam
Alyth
Auchterarder
Comrie
Coupar Angus

Library Map 2.png

A map of the 7 libraries threatened with closure.

As these communities expand, particularly in rural areas, their services are faced with rising demand. This is the time to invest in our growing communities, not cut back on the services they need.

Residents have already taken to the streets, calling on council officials to stop the cuts and save their libraries. Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP Mid Scotland and Fife, has joined residents in their call to stop the closures. With such a clear need for these libraries and their services, it is essential that the council do everything they can to save them.

Once these resources are gone, they are lost forever. Join us in calling on Perth and Kinross Council to keep our rural libraries open!

Tell Perth and Kinross Council to Save our Libraries!

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Dear Councillor Laing,

I am writing to you to express my views on the proposed closure of seven libraries across Perth and Kinross.

In December 2023, Perth and Kinross Council commissioned a review of library services and a review of Perth and Kinross’ Arm’s Length Management Organisations – including Culture Perth and Kinross.

I understand that the findings of these reviews led Council to agree to consolidate key library provision to Community Campuses and the AK Bell library; as well as co-locating other rural library services within the wider Council/public estate.

More recently, Culture Perth and Kinross have conducted a survey with library users to ask their opinions on ‘alternative’ provision to their current library service. Culture Perth and Kinross have noted almost all respondents stated they did not want to see the closure of their libraries. Despite widespread support, it appears the council remain committed to the decision to close seven libraries across the region.

Libraries are essential community hubs. They are more than just a book lending service – for many they provide a safe, warm, welcoming space to learn, find advice, support, and community. They are a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in society, particularly the elderly and the young.

The proposals from Perth and Kinross threaten to create a postcode lottery, whereby rural communities will be unfairly deprived of their libraries, and the important social and wellbeing benefits they bring.

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) have stated that the closure of rural libraries across Perth and Kinross risks exacerbating inequalities in the region.

In a letter written to Perth and Kinross Councillors, CLIPS stated that:

“any alternative decision that results in full or part closure of a library would be extremely damaging and may also infringe equalities law if it requires additional travel to access essential services“.

Whilst the council has offered to help facilitate community-led libraries, this alternative will remove the expertise of librarians, who play a vital role in the provision of services our libraries offer.

It also places the responsibility of running libraries in the hands of the community, including financial costs and the time cost of providing voluntary labour to run the libraries.  
 
Furthermore, existing resources across the region are already facing immense pressure due to an increase in population. Many towns across Perth and Kinross, including Scone, are expanding as an increasing number of new housing developments are constructed. With this growth in population comes an ever-increasing demand for local resources. It is vital that councils are working to provide for these growing communities, instead of removing existing resources.

There has been widespread support for libraries across Perth and Kinross. Residents have taken to the streets in Scone and Dunkeld, calling on council officials to save their local libraries. With such a clear desire for these resources to remain upon, it is essential that all avenues are exhausted before a decision is taken to close them.

Once these resources are gone, they are lost forever.

As such, I am writing to you to ask that Perth and Kinross Council to stop the closure of our rural libraries.

The council must do all they can to keep this service open and must actively engage with communities to find a long-term solution to funding issues.

Libraries are not just for books, they are a place of shelter, play, learning and community for people from all walks of life.

I hope that you will consider the above requests and take into consideration the voices of residents who will be most affected by these closures.

Sincerely,

This message will be sent to glaing@pkc.gov.uk marked with your email address

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Tell Perth and Kinross Council to Save our Libraries!

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