The Scottish Government have granted Stirling libraries £53,039 to survey their social impact on the local community.
This news comes as Stirling council announced that all but one library in Stirling could be closed as a result of their £13 million budget shortfall.
To tackle the shortfall, Stirling Council’s “The Big Conversation” proposed reducing services in a public survey. These reductions include bus routes and the stray dog service.
Stirling Council currently operates 17 public libraries and two mobile libraries. They have reported that this costs £2.4 million a year.
The survey states: “Footfall in libraries has significantly decreased when comparing figures before the pandemic with now so we know the behaviour of people who use libraries may be changing.”
Respondents were given two options: Close up to half of Stirling’s public libraries and have a mobile library across some communities, saving almost £400,000 yearly.
Alternatively, close 16 public libraries, leaving just the Central Library in the city centre. Mobile libraries would replace their services and this option could save up to £1.3 million yearly.
“The Big Conversation” respondents were offered the chance to describe the impact of either option if enacted.
Scottish Conservative local government spokeswoman Liz Smith said: “These damaging closures are the sad but inevitable consequence of the SNP Government’s brutal and sustained underfunding of Scotland’s councils.”
Public Library Improvement Fund
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) reported that the library (including mobile and online libraries) was the most frequently visited cultural event or place in Scotland in 2022.
The government funding is under SLIC’s Public Library Improvement Fund. This is part of £106,868 that has been distributed across Scottish authorities towards their library services.
The fund states that it “seeks to evidence and better understand the social impact Stirling Council Libraries have within their local communities.” It also aims to “produce a methodological toolkit from lessons learnt which other public libraries can use to conduct similar evaluations.”
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said: “Libraries across Stirling act as hubs for the community and are important fixtures in many towns and villages. The people of Stirling love their libraries, and the impact libraries have is massive.
“I’m so pleased to see this funding being given to Stirling libraries to measure that social impact, as it’s something we cannot afford to lose.”
Featured Image Credit: Stirling Council
Third year English and Journalism student at the University of Stirling 🙂
