Campaigners say closure of Aberdeenshire libraries will have major impact

Campaigners believe the proposed closure of libraries will have a major impact on communities during the winter.

Aberdeenshire Council recently announced plans to close 13 facilities in the region, including buildings in Boddam, Balmedie, Cairnbulg, Cruden Bay, Insch, Inverbervie, Kintore, Macduff, Newmachar, New Pitsligo, Newtonhill, Rosehearty and Strichen.

However, residents impacted by the move have since launched a petition to save the North-East libraries, which they believe are the “lifeblood of the communities they serve”.

Live Life Aberdeenshire, which currently delivers the library services for the local authority, say the libraries set for closure have seen lower numbers using them in recent years, with some operating on a part-time basis.

Despite the facilities shutting their doors, the council service say that 18 libraries will remain open in main towns and the redeployment of staff impacted is being explored.

Moray Council are also proposing the closure of seven libraries as part of an “inevitable” redesign of the current service in a bid to save £12.7m over the next two years.

The plans include a network of four area libraries and a new rural community outreach service within the seven areas impacted by the closures.

Moray Council Leader, Kathleen Robertson, said: “We’ve been clear throughout our budget-setting process that service redesign is inevitable in order for us to make the savings we need to balance the budget. However, this is also an opportunity for us to make sure our services are transformed to deliver a modern, sustainable offering to communities in the way they find useful.

“The potential to take an outreach service to the heart of our rural communities that could create a community hub through access to digital technologies, provide information services, as well as lending options is a significant shift for us. But one which shows our commitment to making sure the transformation of our services delivers for our communities.”

Residents in the region have been asked to provide feedback on the specific proposals laid out by Moray Council here until December 1.