Scone residents holding protest against potential closure of town's library

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Scone residents are planning a protest to save their library from closure.

The town's booklovers argue - that with 750 new homes planned for the town - removing the "vital" reasonably modern and purpose-built facility would be "nothing more than short-sighted".

They have come together to create the Save Scone Library group and will demonstrate outside Scone Library on November 9 at 11.15am.

Perth and Kinross councillors agreed at the 2024/25 budget meeting in February to allocate £191,000 to Culture Perth and Kinross to find "local solutions for library services" over the next year. It later emerged Scone had been added to a list of libraries under threat.

Birnam is also on the list. Following the most recent protest in Birnam, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) wrote to every Perth and Kinross councillor stressing its deep concern and highlighting local authorities "have a legal duty to provide library services that their community needs".

Now residents in Scone are gearing up to hold a demonstration.

A spokesperson for Save Scone Library said: "We previously had a very successful community meeting on October 3 with over 135 people attending."

The library is considered "vital" by the community and provides books for the local primary which does not have its own library.

The spokesperson added: "Scone Library is the only library facility for Robert Douglas Memorial School - one of the biggest primary schools in Perthshire, which has no in-school library.

"People from the school have voiced concern that the children regularly use Scone Library facilities during school hours and - if it were to close - it would become incredibly impractical for them to be forced all the way into Perth for a library."

The purpose-built facility opened in 1990 and the group believes "the building is fit for purpose and energy efficient" as well as being "more than just a place for residents to get books".

The facility is also used as a Warm Welcome space which "many elderly residents rely on especially during the winter months".

The group's spokesperson said: "It forms a vital part of the community, as it is the only remaining place that is open to everybody, for free, where they can always guarantee a warm welcome.

"Removing the library services while Scone expands, with 750 new homes planned, is nothing more than short-sighted."

Culture Perth and Kinross operates libraries in the area on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council.

A spokesperson said: "We understand that the Scone Library holds significant importance to the community as a vital, well-used space for all ages, including schoolchildren and elderly residents. As we plan for the future, we remain committed to ensuring access to library services that meet the needs of a growing population while addressing financial challenges.

"We are actively exploring alternative models to continue providing essential services, including community-led provision, click-and-collect services, and enhanced mobile library activities. We are committed to maintaining as many library services as possible for Scone and communities across Perth and Kinross, within difficult financial circumstances."

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