Briefing Note - Petition to Save our Rural Libraries
Perth and Kinross Council · 26 February 2025
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 26 February 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL 26 February 2025 Petition: Save our Rural Libraries Briefing Report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (Report No. 25/35) 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of the report is to provide an update to Council in response to the petition. 2. Background 2.1 Perth and Kinross Council and Culture Perth and Kinross (contracted to deliver library services on behalf of the local authority), recognise the importance of library services in our local communities. Satisfaction rates are consistently above 90% and the social impact and alignment with local priorities are valued. 2.2 However, the costs of providing these services have risen. Almost all service activity is free at the point of use, there are limited opportunities to generate additional income, and the majority of external funding does not support core operating costs. As the Council has received no additional funding to support library services, Culture Perth and Kinross have in turn received no uplift in their annual support. 2.3 Every effort has been made to avoid this impacting on frontline services, including reductions in staffing, corporate, management and supplies and services budgets. However, there are now no further savings to be made in these areas and as such we are required to reduce our frontline provision. 2.4 Perth and Kinross Council chaired a Review of Library Services between January and September 2022. A Project Board was established which included representation from both the Council and Culture Perth and Kinross. An online survey, promoted through social media, distribution of posters and leaflets, links in local shops and community venues and Community Councils, received 1,313 responses. Additionally, focus group sessions with interested parties were held in AK Bell Library, Strathearn Community Library, Blairgowrie Library, Breadalbane Community Library and Loch Leven Community Library. 2.5 The recommendation of the review (‘to consolidate library provision’) was agreed by Council in December 2022 as part of a paper on the future of ALEO services.
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2.6 When setting the budget in 2023, the Council gave additional resources (£173k) to Culture Perth and Kinross on a non-recurring basis. This reflected the delay in the implementation of the review. 2.7 In the budget process of 2024, the Council again gave additional resource (£197k) to support during the review period. 2.8 Work began on implementation in June 2024, led by Culture Perth and Kinross. A survey seeking information from 5 library communities, Scone, Auchterarder, Alyth, Comrie and Birnam, on what their thoughts were on alternative models of provision was distributed in August 24 – running until the end of September 24. The survey received 1,566 responses. As only one questionnaire per member household was sent, this number represents 3,489 members using the libraries in question. 2.9 Following the survey, meetings were set up in each community to discuss the financial context for the need for change, the current data around use and engagement, survey findings and what a future offer may look like. 2.10 The strong views held by communities on these proposed changes is acknowledged, as is the recognition of the need for either additional recurring resources or alternative models of delivery. 2.11 Perth and Kinross Council and Culture Perth and Kinross have provided information and data to communities, via Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and other written communications where requested. 2.12 Culture Perth and Kinross have also shared what an outline offer will look like. They have committed to support communities through the development of community led services should that be an option they wish to develop. 2.13 As previously mentioned, Perth and Kinross Council and Culture Perth and Kinross are committed to library services, recognising the importance they play in our local communities. Although financial challenges are resulting in the reduction of the number of libraries, we remain committed to offering high quality services. 2.14 Following reductions in the number of local library services operated by Culture Perth and Kinross the following Library offer will be in place. 3. Library Hubs 3.1 There will be 5 Library Hubs in key geographic locations across the region. These are Loch Leven Library in Kinross, Strathearn Library in Crieff, Breadalbane Library in Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie Library and AK Bell Library in Perth. Hub libraries will offer both core and enhanced services to include: Bookbug and Rhyme Time activities School and afterschool book groups to extend reading skills Ancestry and local history groups and activities Author talks and events
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Book groups Summer Reading Challenge and reading promotions Reminiscence sessions Warm spaces People’s network computers Free Wi-Fi access Community group meetings spaces Hubs will also continue to co-ordinate Books on Wheels (home delivery) services to housebound individuals within their local communities. 4. Mobile Library and Click and Collect 4.1 Additionally, within each locality which is losing a Culture Perth and Kinross run library, there will be mobile library stops and a click and collect service which will enable people to access the public library catalogue locally and place an order for books which will then be delivered to a local collection point. 4.2 Work is being undertaken to commission a new mobile library alongside a smaller more agile delivery van and both vehicles will be used to service communities across the region. 5. eLibrary Service 5.1 Customers can also access the free online library resources which include: eBooks eAudiobooks eNewspapers eMagazines eComics SCRAN Theory Test Pro Access to Research 6. Community Engagement and Additional Reader Development Activity 6.1 Books and Resources will continue to be provided to school, and community groups and deposit collections will be offered to care homes. There will also be peripatetic outreach work in each community, delivering Bookbug, Chatterbooks and book groups. 6.2 Perth and Kinross Council and Culture Perth and Kinross will continue to work with any groups who wish to deliver their own community library service, although each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and tailored to meet the circumstances of that community.