Libraries throughout Stirling and the surrounding area face possible closure as soon as next month due to potential cuts, a decision to be voted on at an upcoming discussion at the Stirling Council.
The vote, taking place on the 29th at 10:00am, will cover the council’s 2024-25 revenue and capital budget.
Concerns have been raised after a proposal made suggested saving money through the mass closure of libraries. Namely, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan library.
This comes after a report earlier this month which announced that financial instability was the most “significant risk” facing Stirling Council.
A meeting was held in Dunblane on the 7th with four council members present, with all confirming they would vote against cuts to library services.
It was reiterated that £16m must be made through cuts in the Stirlingshire area.
Councillor Thomas Heald responded to concerns, “My position is exactly the same as it was in the recent campaign.
I am a regular user of libraries with my children and recognise the core functions that a library provides, often to the most vulnerable.
I remain committed to doing all that I can to retain the current provision in Dunblane and indeed in Bridge of Allan.”
The Big Conversation, a survey for Stirlingshire locals to propose saving strategies, collected over 3,400 votes. The results are available on the Big Conversation Webpage.
Stirling Council Leader, Councillor Chris Kane said, “The budget-setting process has been hugely challenging for everyone involved, with mounting financial pressures forcing every council service to propose savings proposals to help achieve a balanced budget.
“No one wants to be in a position to be proposing cuts like these; but this is our financial reality, with rising costs and demand for delivering services.”
Save our Libraries Stirling is an organisation determined to avoid cuts being made to library services.
Efforts include a crowd-sourced book of heartfelt statements, artwork and memories about libraries to present to the Stirling Council.
The group have a petition active, gaining rapid traction from their social media efforts.
They said, “For many children and young people – given the shrinking number of school libraries combined with the current economic downturn – the local library may be the only place where they have free access to books.
“Within the last few weeks, the Scottish Parliament passed unanimously the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), enshrining it into domestic law.
“What an irony it would be to shut open doors to learning, given that securing access to education is one of its key tenets.”
The petition is available for signature here.
Featured Image Credit: Stirling Council
Journalism student at the University of Stirling. She/Her. Twitter & Instagram: @DeannaDawnn
