Friends of Scotland's Libraries

There's been a lot of love for libraries today with SLIC and National Library of Scotland launching the #LoveLibraries campaign.

Why do you love libraries?

'Gies back our books' Community group campaigning to reopen local library Monthly protests are being held at the building and a petition has launched on Change.org.

At the weekend locals gathered to protest outside of Cardonald Library as they demand Glasgow Life to "Gies Back Our Books". The library was suddenly shut in September 2023 due to RAAC with no word of when it will reopen.

Read Peter Cassidy's report for STV News here: news.stv.tv/west-central...

Rural and coastal communities to suffer over Aberdeenshire library closures Aberdeenshire Council announced plans to close 13 libraries across the region, despite the facilities costing the local authority a total of…

A fantastic article in @heraldscotland.bsky.social by @joshpizpom.bsky.social about the devastating consequences further library service cuts and closures will bring to Aberdeenshire towns & villages: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2491933...

Aberdeenshire Council scales back plans to shut 13 libraries Aberdeenshire Council had expressed

Meanwhile, disappointing news from Aberdeenshire. There's too much we want to say about this decision to fit into the character limit on BlueSky.

Thank you to @philmcdonald94.bsky.social for continuing to draw attention to the plight of these public libraries.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...?

Please note the video above contains information licensed under the Scottish Parliament Copyright Licence.

After meeting with MSPs in Parliament yesterday, we were pleased to hear this commitment from Angus Robertson to look at the definition of 'adequate' public library services.

We hope the Cabinet Secretary will be willing to meet with us very soon before more libraries are lost in Scotland.

The debate is just started - tune in now!

“I am gutted my local library is shut. I had never used a library before this one and miss the community feel and accessibility. I know so many in the community are losing out on vital socialisation, particularly the elderly and those most vulnerable in society. Furthermore it creates issues in accessibility for many in accessing computers. It's not fair, the community deserves better.”

The people of Glasgow are no strangers to fighting for their communities. In September 2023 Cardonald Library was suddenly closed by ALEO, Glasgow Life apparently due to RAAC in the roof. Numerous protests to 'Gies back oor books' have happened, and a petition launched last week has 1340 signatures.

“Saltcoats library is more than a library. It is a community hub. The library hosts so many different events and there is no reason why this couldn’t be extended further. The book club I took my son to as a baby kept me sane in his early years and it was great to meet up with other parents who were going through the same emotions as me with a new baby. I still visit the library often even though my son is older.” - Sharon, Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries Petition

Down in North Ayrshire, several libraries are under threat as the council have them on the chopping board as they make budget cuts. Once again, the communities of Saltcoats and Ardrossan are back petitioning again as the council meet to decide on spending for 2025/26.

Alyth library is such a lovely place to visit and browse the books. I love that unlike a bookshop, my kids can pick what they like and I don't have to worry about cost. There is always a warm welcome and useful community information.” - Gillian, Save Alyth Library Petition

In a similar story to Moray and Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross are faced with the threatened closure of seven libraries by Culture Perth and Kinross, an ALEO. Local campaigners in the area have begun organising together, as they hope the Council provide funds to stop the cuts.

Meeting of the Parliament | Scottish Parliament TV

If you haven't been able to book a ticket to watch the Save Local Libraries debate in the Chamber, you will be able to watch online from 5 pm: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...

“The library is important to this community it helps children in the area to read it helps the elderly to keep brain active. It's a small community with not a lot in the area the next nearest library is miles away which not everyone can get to, the library also helps people that don't have computers and are able to use the ones in the library.” - Ruth Save Moray's Libraries Petition

The people of Moray have had to fight against closures before. Just over ten years ago they were preparing to submit a judicial review to Court of Session, when Moray Council reversed their decision on several of the libraries up for closure. Now seven libraries are under threat there again.

“In this village, the library serves as more than just a place to find a book. It serves as a central hub for many clubs, a safe space for people who share similar interests to come together for a chat, a technology hub for those who may not have internet or printers at home plus so much more. This, added with the closure of the St John's Centre is yet another huge blow to this amazing, but seemingly forgotten community.” - John, New Pitsligo Petition

Kintore is just one of 13 libraries that Live Life Aberdeenshire want to close due to an apparent lack of funding from Aberdeenshire Council. For some towns and villages their library is their last remaining community space, like in New Pitsligo who recently saw their Community Centre close as well.

A banner reads: Scotland's Library Campaigns Community Voices “Our local library at Kintore is such a part of the community. For me it supports my book club and others in the area. We are very rural and there can be very real issues relating to isolation, which these sorts of local groups, supported by the library, help to alleviate. The repurcussions to communities, when libraries close, goes much further than just the provision of books.” Karen, Kintory Library Petition

This quote reflects the thoughts of many library users in Kintore, Aberdeenshire who were told their library wasn't getting enough footfall. The library which is in a building next to the primary school is very popular as evidenced by the petition and many local community Facebook groups.

Text against a background reads: From Moray to North Ayrshire, these quotes from change.org petitions give a wee flavour of the thoughts and feelings of your constituents. People in Scotland want you to know how much they value their local libraries. The Friends of Scotland's Libraries logo (a building flying two saltire flags on the foundation of an open book) is shared in the bottom corner.

Right now some of our members are in Holyrood hoping to meet MSPs over lunchtime.

We wanted to give them a flavour of why people all over Scotland have been signing petitions against the closure of libraries, and the reasons public libraries matter to them.

@damianbarr.bsky.social @philmcdonald94.bsky.social @lacollier.bsky.social @slipshodspeller.bsky.social @scottishgreens.org @unisonmedia.bsky.social @ianrankin1.bsky.social @kathleenjamie.bsky.social @sarasheridan.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social

A graphic image with a banner that reads "Press Release: Save our Local Libraries Debate at Scottish Parliament" underneath the banner is an illustration of a hand holding a news microphone, and an image that looks like a newspaper with Press Release as a heading in capital letters. In the bottom corner of the graphic the Friends of Scotland's Libraries logo which is a building flying two saltire flags coming out of an open book.

Today, we sent a press release to journalists ahead of tomorrow's Save Local Libraries Debate in Scottish Parliament.

We hope tomorrow starts an important conversation about how Scotland's libraries can thrive instead of just fighting for survival.

Read full Press Release here: bit.ly/40ZPuyo

We will add this to our linktree Malcolm! Thank you for giving us the heads up about it 👍

We're behind you all the way!

WriteToThem WriteToThem is a website which provides an easy way to contact MPs, councillors and other elected representatives.

🚨 Big news!
Mark Ruskell MSP has secured a Save Local Libraries debate in the Scottish Parliament on Feb 5 at 5 p.m.

Write to your MSPs to urge them to attend the debate and a meet-and-greet from 1-2 p.m. in Committee Room 5: www.writetothem.com

Let’s protect libraries across Scotland! 📚

I would have been left stranded without Scotland’s libraries - their closure is devastating Stripping rural areas of local libraries will be another blow to already underserved communities.

A fantastic post from Katharine Hay in @thescotsmanpaper.bsky.social this week on the importance of rural libraries: www.scotsman.com/hays-way/my-...

#LibrariesAreEssential

There are a number of groups protesting the announcement of closures to their local libraries in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Perth & Kinross. You can find links to their petitions here: linktr.ee/friendsofsco...