Stevenson Previews Library Closure Debate

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP, Stewart Stevenson, has spoken ahead of the Scottish Parliament’s debate on the decision taken by Moray Council to close four of its libraries.

(l to r) Angus Robertson MP, Richard Lochhead MSP
Stewart Stevenson MSP
© insideMORAY.co.uk

The motion on the library closures will be debated at 5.00pm next Tuesday (17 December).

The Council’s Conservative / Independent administration has decided to press ahead with the closure of four libraries, including the ones in Findochty and Portknockie which are in Mr Stevenson’s constituency.

Previewing next week’s debate, Mr Stevenson commented:

“Whilst I welcome the Council’s decision to keep three of the closure threatened libraries open, the move to close four libraries is still deeply concerning.

“I am not convinced that the impact of these closures has been sufficiently mitigated.

“I look forward to speaking in the debate and listening to the views of other MSPs on this decision. The debate will also present a chance to praise the tireless work of those who have campaigned to oppose these closures.”

The motion to be debated is as follows:

Motion S4M-08484: Stewart Stevenson, Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party

That the Parliament condemns Moray Council's decision to remove a mobile library from service and close the libraries in Findochty, Hopeman, Portknockie and Rothes; believes that the decision to close four of its 15 libraries could have an adverse impact on families with young children and both older and disabled people; believes that libraries play a valuable role in communities and that the proposed closures would have a detrimental impact on education and learning and restrict access in rural communities to information technology services; further believes that this is particularly concerning as, it understands, the UK Government is increasingly making access to many services online only; notes that the Scottish Library and Information Council has commissioned a review of the Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix, which examines the quality of such services, and recognises the work of the Save our Libraries Moray campaign and others, which aims to bring together the communities affected by the council’s decision.