Libraries

Members of Moray Council’s Education and Social Services Committee today (Weds) voted to maintain local library provision in rural villages.

The decision comes after a wide-ranging consultation with residents about the future of the library service in Moray, which is facing increasingly tighter budget restrictions .

Councillors voted to merge libraries and rural schools to afford the service that the public said was still needed.

Head of Libraries for Moray Council, Alistair Campbell, told members of the committee that there are powerful arguments for bringing together public and school library provision to create a genuine community library and council resource that supports rural sustainability and strengthens the sustainability of the school.

 

 "    The facility is used much longer, at least 45 hours per week, at no additional running cost, there is wider choice and there is added value for all users and particularly children ," he said   .

 

 "    What is achieved is not just a better library, but much more, adding value for the community, the Council and our partners.

 

 "    There are economies, in that inappropriate premises can be disposed of; maintenance, heating and lighting costs reduced; future maintenance costs removed and ICT capital and revenue costs reduced. "

 

Members of the committee were presented with several options for the future of the service, one of which included a wide-ranging closure programme coupled with increased mobile service to outlying areas.

But following strong opposition from the public to closures of any kind – 556 responses were received - the committee agreed to pursue  the merger  programme .

 Chairman of the committee, Cllr Jeff Hamilton, said: "We have asked the community what they wanted, they have told us and we have listened.

"We now have to see this programme implemented."

Seven rural libraries are affected by the move. These are in the villages of Burghead, Dufftown, Findochty, Fochabers, Hopeman, Portknockie and Rothes.

A joint provision of school and library has been in place in Tomintoul since 1987, and is well established within other Scottish authorities.