Fife Council is currently consulting on the future of library services in the Kingdom. In the face of a £77 million budget gap over the next three years the current proposal will see a change in current library structure.
The structure proposed would establish three models of library services: libraries open for up to 20 hours a week, libraries open 20 – 40 hours a week and libraries open 40 hours or more a week. Unfortunately under this structure 16 libraries are earmarked for closure.
Nobody wants to see libraries close and following a recent coffee morning and constituent survey in Kinghorn, I fully understand the strength of feeling within the community for keeping their local library open.
That is why I today met with Heather Stuart the Chief Executive of Fife Cultural Trust to raise me concerns and I would urge everyone to get involved in the consultation process and let Fife Libraries & Museums know what you want from a modern library service.
The way in which we use libraries is changing. We have much higher expectations of library facilities and we need to look at how we meet that demand. The consultation process is a time to be creative for local communities.
This consultation closes on Friday 6 November 2015 and I’d urge everyone to get involved here.