Up to eight Aberdeen libraries facing closure under council proposals

Published on 13/09/2012 15:25

ALMOST half of Aberdeen’s public libraries could be axed under new cost cutting proposals to go before city councillors next week.

• Up to eight of city’s 17 libraries could close

• Proposals to go to council committee next Thursday

The city council currently operates 16 community libraries in addition to the main Central Library on Rosemount Viaduct.

But up to eight community libraries could be closed in a bid to save £450,000 over the next five years under proposals to go before a meeting of the council’s education, culture and sport committee next Thursday.

Fiona Clark, the council’s Library and Information Services Manager, states in a report to the committee: “Opening hours are continually reviewed and have both been increased and reduced over the last three years. They were last reduced in 2009 to achieve budget savings in response to the decline in visitors in evenings at community libraries.

“Indications are that patterns of use of libraries have changed considerably since 2009 with significant decline in usage after 5pm at most libraries and in particular at smaller community libraries, especially in the winter months. In addition feedback from users and communities suggest that current opening hours no longer meet their needs.”

Councillor Jenny Laing, the committee’s convener, stressed that the public and staff would be consulted before any decisions are made.