National library body appeals to save Inverclyde libraries

The proposals to close Greenock Central and Port Glasgow libraries are part of a wider consultation to find out what cuts can be made to plug an £8.6 million funding gap in Inverclyde Council's budget over the next two years.

A range of cuts to other services could also be on the cards with the total loss of 70 jobs possible if all savings measures are taken.

Stephen McCabe (Image: George Munro)

Kirsten MacQuarrie, sector development manager with the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIP), has written to all councillors urging them to keep the libraries open.

The letter from the association says it recognises the difficult financial situation that the council faces, but adds that the benefits of having a library service outweigh the costs to run it.

null (Image: George Munro)

Ms MacQuarrie wrote: "It is more important than ever that decision makers like yourselves have the evidence that cuts and closures to library services can only ever be a false economy.

"2023 analysis proves that, for every £1 invested in libraries, Councils receive a £6.95 return in ‘social value’: defined as a blend of societal and environmental benefits that includes reduced social isolation, increased attainment and employment prospects, and better physical and mental wellbeing."

Ms MacQuarrie also says that libraries save the NHS £3.2 million a year by tackling isolation among local people and giving them more information about their health.

She said "Given the extensive evidence base outlined above and expanded on via our website, of particular concern to us is the proposed closure of Greenock Central Library and Port Glasgow Library as budget savings suggestions.

"For many years, these vital libraries have been central to life in those areas, and to remove them would take the heart from their communities.

"As I am sure you are aware, the council has a legal duty to secure the provision of library facilities for all persons resident in Inverclyde, and our analysis indicates that closing these branches would result in 17,700 fewer people having access to a public library within an hour’s round trip on public transport."

Children's author Morag Hood at Central Library for launch of new Bookbug challenge (Image: George Munro)

The professional body also cites the impact on young people and their education.

Ms MacQuarrie said: "Inverclyde’s children and young people, we know that reading for pleasure is four times more powerful on progress in vocabulary, mathematics, and spelling than either parental education or socio-economic status, and DWP research reveals that being read to at age five is an important protective factor against poverty in adulthood.

"Public libraries are the only places in Scotland staffed by trained professionals who are dedicated to inspiring this life-changing, lifelong love of reading."

Council leader Stephen McCabe replied to the letter, stating that he would be willing to pay more council tax to keep services safe, but stressed that the decision was currently out for public consultation.

Councillor McCabe said: "It will be interesting to see if the residents of Inverclyde are, like me, prepared to pay more in council tax to keep the two libraries open.”

He praised the work of the library service and said he knows how important their work is.

He said: "Personally, I greatly value the work of our library service and know how important our local libraries are. Since I was first appointed council leader in 2007 no libraries in Inverclyde have closed, which contrasts with the previous Liberal Democrat administration, which closed the Boglestone and Greenock East branch libraries.

"On the contrary we have invested significantly in our libraries to create a modern service that plays a much wider role in supporting our communities than just lending books."

He said the proposals 'demonstrate that there is no fat left to cut in the council'

He added: "We have made £77m of recurring savings since my first budget as leader in 2008."

He concluded: "There is a stark choice: we are either prepared to pay a bit more in council tax each month or we lose services.”

Other services under threat are ending free swimming opportunities, reducing employability services and stopping civic and community events.

The council could also cut back on CCTV, community wardens and street cleaning across Inverclyde.

As part of the consultation, residents will also have the opportunity to comment on proposed council tax increases ranging from five per cent to 10 per cent.

The budget will be set by the council on March 5.