Council Decides To Close Libraries

The Council's Executive Committee has agreed on Tuesday 8th December to progress with changes to Fife's library services, albeit with a number of additional recommendations to Fife Cultural Trust's original proposal.

The Committee discussed the outcomes of the public consultation, which had over 2,800 respondents, and how best to mitigate the impact on affected communities.

16 libraries are identified for closure as part of the changes: Abbeyview, Bowhill, Colinsburgh, Crail, Crossgates, East Wemyss, Falkland, Freuchie, Glenwood, Kinghorn, Lundin Links, Markinch, Pittenweem, Pitteuchar, Thornton and Townhill.

Initial discussions for proposals for alternative delivery models for a library service in Crail, Falkland, Markinch and Lundin Links libraries were welcomed, as were discussions around potential proposals for some of the other affected communities.

A motion from Cllr Ross, Chair of the Committee, commits to the relocation of public access PCs in the local areas and to provide assistance with the relocation of other non-library specific activities (such as job clubs) that currently take place in the libraries due for closure.

Commitment was also made to work with local communities to explore proposals for alternative delivery models and to provide appropriate support to develop these. Communities that have not yet done so are also invited to express an interest in exploring alternative delivery models for their community.

The motion also noted particular concerns about the impact of library closures in Abbeyview and Glenwood and agreed to explore the possibility of providing public access to enhanced library facilities in the local secondary schools in these areas. A comprehensive regeneration plan for the Glenwood area will also be developed in partnership with the local community.

The motion gained an overall majority at the Committee against competing proposals from SNP, Liberal Democrats and Conservative.

Speaking in response to the Committee decision, Cllr David Ross said: 

''Libraries are an important and valuable service for our communities across Fife but we need to acknowledge that the way people use them is changing. A Fife-wide review of libraries has not been carried out for a number of years.

This comes at a time when local authorities are up against unprecedented financial challenge. We have a responsibility to decide how best to respond to all of these changes and work with Fife Cultural Trust to make sure our library service is as sustainable and suited to customer need as possible.

Overall, more than two thirds of the respondents of the questionnaire understood why these proposals had been made and nearly half of those taking part agreed with them. As I’ve said before, this isn’t just about a tough decision for library services though. We have to make difficult decisions across all areas of public services that we provide for Fife, from libraries and leisure centres to schools, social care and roads.

I'm pleased that Fife Cultural Trust has set out a long-term sustainable approach to providing libraries. We are committed to supporting communities to develop alternative models and recognise the specific circumstances for Abbeyview and Glenwood.''

The strengthening of mobile libraries and housebound services is essential in addressing the concerns about local access to library provision in the affected communities. Changing the mobile library routes to better serve current and potential customers will be an important part of this.

Officers are now tasked with exploring current and potential proposals from community organisations for alternative delivery models in the communities affected by the agreed closures. The findings will be presented to a future Executive Committee.

North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said he was very disappointed, six of the libraries are in his constituency:

"I am very disappointed by today's decision; it's incredibly short-sighted and will deprive many communities of a vital and valuable service. I have already heard from some of the campaigners and they are devastated. Giving some communities until Christmas to come up with a plan for how they could run the libraries, without any guarantee their proposals will be accepted, is very difficult. The Labour councillors who voted to shut these local libraries have no idea what they've done. I will not give up the fight to prevent closures from taking place in April."

Paying tribute to all those who waged strong campaigns to retain their local service, Stephen said: 

"It has been so heartening to see local communities come together to fight for a valuable local resource. In so many places, particularly rural areas, libraries are at the heart of communities and the threat of closure brought people together."

"Today's decision will have a significant impact on so many communities. The young, elderly and unemployed will be most affected and that's the real tragedy. Libraries, as the campaigns have shown, are about more than books; they're about providing access to education, information and social interaction for all generations. 

"The results of questionnaires completed as part of the consultation showed that over half of those who responded thought any closure would have a 'major impact' on their families; this figure was significantly higher in Colinsburgh and Freuchie (82.6%) which shows just how valued the library is.

"Other results show that people across North East Fife are very concerned about the distance and time it will take to travel to the next available library as well as the availability of the mobile library service as well as access for those who are housebound and disabled. Most comments received were also about  the loss of access to books for children. I'm also worried by the fact that 47.9 % of respondents said they would not use another library."