Moray Council confirms seven libraries under threat
Moray Council has confirmed that it may close seven libraries across the region.
The local authority has published an online survey today regarding the futures of the libraries at Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Keith, Lossiemouth, Fochabers and Tomintoul.
The deadline for the public to take part is just three weeks away on Sunday, December 1.
Anger has already been expressed at the council’s proposals after rumours of them spread ahead of today’s announcement.
A meeting organised in Keith at very short notice yesterday drew around 35 users of the town’s library.
If all seven closures take place Moray will be left with just four libraries – Elgin, Forres, Aberlour and Buckie.
The council estimates closing all of the other seven would save £376,000 on staffing and other costs.
In addition, it states it would look at selling Dufftown and Keith to generate extra income.
Off-setting this would be costs of around £100,000 to extend the opening hours at Aberlour plus invest in the council’s community outreach service.
Kathleen Robertson, the leader of Moray Council, said of the proposals: “We’ve been clear throughout our budget setting process that service redesign is inevitable in order for us to make the savings we need to balance the budget.
“However, this is also an opportunity for us to make sure our services are transformed to deliver a modern, sustainable offering to communities in the way they find useful.
“The potential to take an outreach service to the heart of our rural communities that could create a community hub through access to digital technologies; provide information services; as well as lending options is a significant shift for us. But one which shows our commitment to making sure the transformation of our services delivers for our communities.”
The survey is open until midnight on Sunday, December 1, and should take around 10-15 minutes to complete.
It is only available online. Click HERE
Related article: Moray Council proposing to close seven libraries - Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Fochabers, Keith, Lossiemouth and Tomintoul all at risk.
