Perthshire rural library campaigners deliver 5,600-name petition to council

Library users are urging council leaders to find the funding to keep branches across Perth and Kinross open

By Morag Lindsay

January 23 2025, 4:44pm

Perth and Kinross councillor Jack Welch accepted the Save Our Rural Libraries petition from campaigners. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

Perthshire library users have given the council 5,600 good reasons why their local branches should stay open.

Leaders of the Save Our Rural Libraries campaign delivered a joint petition to Perth and Kinross Council HQ on Thursday afternoon.

It contained the signatures of 5,600 supporters who are urging the council to find funding to save the Alyth, Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone branches from the axe.

And it follows a series of protests in affected communities and outside Perth Museum.

Scone library user Sam Eskenazi said campaigners had been heartened by the public shows of support for local branches.

Grouop of people with placards standing on steps of Perth and Kinross Council HQ in Perth — Strathmore councillors Hugh Anderson, Colin Stewart, Grant Stewart and Jack Welch were there to greet libraries campaigners outside Perth and Kinross Council. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

“We are continuing to campaign,” he said.

“And we’re hopeful that councillors will see the strength of feeling behind keeping these libraries open.”

Sam said campaigners are planning a second mass demonstration in Perth next month.

It will be held to coincide with talks on the council’s budget for the coming year.

Culture Perth and Kinross libraries consultation sparks alarm

Culture Perth and Kinross runs libraries on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council.

But it is seeking to reduce its budget by 12% over the next three years.

And the council tasked it with reviewing the future of its libraries in February 2024.

Woman with 'save rural libraries Alyth' written on large piece of cardboard — Alyth is one of the libraries affected by the Culture Perth and Kinross consultation. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

It has been consulting users across the region on alternative ways to provide library services.

These might include click and collect systems, or handing over the running of libraries to local groups.

But opponents say communities can’t afford to lose library buildings, and that doing so would harm vulnerable children and adults.

All eyes on council budget at end of February

Perth and Kinross Council confirmed it had received the petition.

A spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the concerns being raised by Save Our Rural Libraries around the value of libraries to local communities.

Libraries campaigner holding bundle of papers tied up with blue bow on steps of Perth and Kinross Council HQ. — The libraries petition is now in Perth and Kinross Council hands. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

“In the current, very challenging, financial climate for councils it is necessary to look carefully at the funding available to us and how this can best be used to deliver services to our residents.

“Preparations for the setting of the Perth and Kinross Council budget for 2025-2026 are currently under way, taking into account a wide range of financial considerations, including the Scottish Government’s budget and funding settlement for the organisation.

“The council will set its budget on February 26, having considered in detail all the relevant issues in this respect.”