In this short series on the importance of libraries to the communities they serve we have covered: ‘A Library Service for Everyone’: Schools, and Ocean Libraries: The Ultimate in a Mobile Service . This article looks at libraries today and their future development.

First and foremost of all a library gives you free access to a huge variety of books which with just a library card (also free) you can borrow to take home with you. That is still the wonder of public libraries. Today, however, libraries have adapted to the changing needs of their communities.

Libraries are warm and welcoming – cosy places to sit and read or access the internet on their free computers. In a time when there is an ever widening digital divide as significant numbers of people cannot afford to have the internet in their homes, or own a home computer, providing free access (and support) to computers is a vital function for libraries. For everyone struggling with the rising costs of heating their own homes, a library provides a warm place to be in.

Those are extremely important functions today that having a local public library is able to fulfil.

In Orkney we have two library buildings, Kirkwall which includes the local Archives, and Stromness, with its terrific views over the harbour. The mobile service, Booky McBook Face, travels out around the islands, and for people who cannot visit in person, there’s the home lending service.

A visit to Kirkwall Library reveals the many other items and services it provides. Here’s just a few: jigsaws, CDs, large print, dressing up clothes, Bookbug (for the youngest library users and their parents), sewing classes, exhibitions, book launches, talks, IT area, BorrowBox (free downloads of books and periodicals, includes audiobooks).

“Cutting libraries during a recession is like cutting hospitals during a plague.” Eleanor Crumblehulme  (Library Assistant, University of British Columbia, Canada)

It’s appalling that there are local authorities in Scotland where libraries have closed or are being closed when they are essential, not just in their prime purpose – free access to books – but for the wellbeing of communities providing a variety of free services which are not available anywhere else.

Aberdeenshire Council, where 13 libraries are to be closed: Balmedie, Boddam, Cairnbulg, Cruden Bay, Insch, Inverbervie, Kintore, Macduff, New Pitsligo, Newmachar, Newtonhill, Rosehearty and Strichen, did so without going through a proper consultation process. The petition ‘Save Aberdeenshire libraries from closure’ states:

Thirteen Aberdeenshire libraries are going to be closed by our Tory controlled council. They’re the lifeblood of the communities they serve and closing them is just another excuse for mismanagement within Aberdeenshire council. Please sign to try and save Boddam, Balmedie, Cairnbulg, Cruden Bay, Insch, Inverbervie, Kintore, Macduff, Newmachar, New Pitsligo, Newtonhill, Rosehearty and Strichen libraries.

Instead of closing libraries, the service should be invested in.

The closure of libraries in Aberdeenshire is just the latest example of the limited thinking possessed by too many of Scotland’s local authorities with councillors who fail to understand that free access to internet connected computers and warmth helps to mitigate against digital and fuel poverty.

Since 2010 one in eight libraries in Scotland have closed which is a grand total of 83 libraries, this number was correct as of March this year and since then there have been more closures. In just over ten years there has been a 30% spending cut for libraries in Scotland. It’s getting to the point where it’s becoming harder to find inside public spaces that are fully accessible. Save the Libraries, Kaitlin Dryburgh, Commonweal

And in all of this, let’s not forget the people who staff the libraries. Librarians are one of the most important resources in every library. Get rid of the library and not only do you lose its free services, but you lose the access to information, help and support that the librarian provides. If they do not know the answer they will be able to either find it or point you in the right direction. All that goes when the library is closed.

‘A Library Service for Everyone’: Schools

Fiona Grahame