By Kathryn Anderson

Copyright dailyrecord

Culture Perth and Kinross’ head of Operations and Support Services has told councillors there is “no quick fix” to ensuring library services continue across Perth and Kinross. At February’s budget meeting, councillors committed an additional £1 million of council funding over two years to design the approaches for each community over the first year and help support the transition to the agreed approach the following year. Since then, meetings have been held in the five rural communities – whose libraries were threatened with closure – and draft action plans are currently being finalised. PKC’s plans to close five rural libraries – Alyth, Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone – were met with fierce competition. Petitions attracted over 5000 signatures and various demonstrations were held including one where around 300 protesters and local politicians from across the political divide gathered outside Perth Museum in January 2025. Culture Perth and Kinross – which operates the area’s libraries on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) – is now developing a Library Strategy 2025-27 with a vision to create “vibrant and sustainable library services”. The four key aims of the strategy are: Providing an update to PKC’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee on Wednesday, September 17, Culture Perth and Kinross’ head of Operations and Support Services Kenny McWilliam told councillors five working groups had been set up in Alyth, Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone to draw up action plans. He told elected members: “The five libraries which were at risk of closure have seen the most progress to date with community meetings beginning in May. “From our initial meeting, we have formed smaller working groups to progress development of action plans. “However, we keep membership of those groups open and anyone can attend so there is some fluidity to our group membership. There has been lots of discussion, ideas and suggestions and we’re now at the stage of distilling that down into what is achievable within the space, capacity and resources of both the library service and the local community.” Councillors were told around 25 people have engaged in each of the working groups set up with the five rural libraries. Draft action plans are now in place and should be finalised by October 31. Mr McWilliam added: “We are now beginning the process of widening this work out so that all of our libraries have an action plan, which has community involvement at its heart. We’re also seeking additional funding to support some of the common themes emerging from this work such as: community and tourist information; combating digital isolation and increasing engagement with local groups in making use of library spaces. “There is no quick fix or single solution to this however. “Communities remain opposed to taking on the running of service on a voluntary basis and there are limited options for co-location of community services, which don’t have unintended knock-ons for other venues or other organisations but we are exploring all options. “Each of the plans – once completed – will be monitored on an ongoing basis by a joint community and Culture Perth and Kinross group to ensure they remain reflective of the communities they seek to serve and that any issues or barriers to progress are identified early and addressed. The key focus is on increasing uses of the library service and increasing use of the buildings to increase their long-term sustainability.” A report will be brought back to councillors at the end of 2026 ahead of councillors setting the 2027/28 budget. Culture Perth and Kinross’ head of Operations and Support Services pointed to the range of other services offered by libraries such as: photocopying, scanning, stamp and battery recycling, validating bus passes, book groups and jigsaw exchanges to name but a few. He added: “Losing a library is not just about losing the books it holds; it is losing a vital community service, which is a point of contact for many giving them the tools and resources to live longer, healthier lives.”