The Press and Journal reports that a hit list of rural libraries has emerged after a Freedom of Information request from a member of the public. The paper reports:
'Responding to the FoI request, head of community learning and leisure Ian Murray confirmed yesterday that council officers had identified libraries at Plockton, Caol, Invergordon, Helmsdale, Ardersier and Beauly for possible closures that would save around £94,000.
The closure of 11 others – Bettyhill, Knoydart, Achiltibuie, Lochcarron, Cromarty, Golspie, Lairg, Broadford, Mallaig, Bonar Bridge and Muir of Ord – would save almost £100,000.
And in search of a total £666,000 saving within the libraries budget, a “large library” is being considered for closure leaving libraries in Inverness, Culloden and Wick in the frame.
The woman who submitted the FoI request did not wish to be identified. She said she sought the information because she felt communities should be aware of which libraries are threatened in order to have a proper opportunity to respond to the consultation. Councillors were, until now, unaware of the names on the list.'
One imagines that Councillors representing those areas on the list will be receiving a few phone calls, letters and e-mails from their constituents. The full Press and Journal article here.
The Scotsman reported recently that library closures in Scotland have increased over recent years even before the credit crunch kicked into local government funding. An interesting article highlighting the difficulties that libraries face here: Is your local library on borrowed time?
Clearly Highland Council are intent in keeping services in Inverness open, so why not just close towns down completely one by one?
ReplyDeleteInevitably all towns are going to be painfully stripped of services till there is nothing left. Rather than suffer a gradual death lets just have one quick pull of the council plug
To make up for the complete loss of services Highland Council could hire a giant tent and once a year each town could enjoy a mobile version of services they once had for say a week - giant paddling pool, library books (have to take them out for a year), rubbish collection, grass cutting etc
This could happen the week before the town's Highland Games which would spruce up the place a little and provide an added tourist attraction
I reckon this could be a vote winner if one of the Westminster candidates wished to add it to their manifesto!