A BID has been made to save three public libraries in East Dunbartonshire that are facing the axed due to sqeeezed budgets.
The fate of the libaries- around 40% of the local authority's complement - will be discussed on Thursday as the local authority meets to set its budget.
It comes two weeks after Aberdeen City Council scrapped plans to shut 16 of its 17 libraries to save £863,000 in a bid to make ends meet, in a move criticised by many locals.
The board of the cultural arm of East Dunbartonshire Council has previously backed moves to shut Lenzie, Milton of Campsie and Westerton libraries to save £84,000 as part of cost-cutting plans, raising concerns.
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) urged the council not to take the option forward, saying: "We believe this may affect the local community’s ability to access an adequate public library service as required by the Local Government Act."
In a letter to council leaders they say: " A public library service makes an important contribution to national outcomes such as reducing inequality and improving literacy as well as providing a positive experience for local people and demonstrating the value a local authority places on its community.
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"Libraries tackle social isolation and support mental health and wellbeing as evidenced by the Scottish Government. Libraries also play a key role in supporting the current digital strategies in Scotland and across the UK by providing free access for people unable to get online at home.
"Evidence from Carnegie UK shows that online access delivers substantial social and economic benefits to citizens and communities including improved educational attainment; better job prospects; better access to public services; cheaper goods and products; access to advice, information and knowledge; improved communication with family and friends; and enhanced democratic and civic participation. Libraries are also vital to improving literacy in Scotland.
"Studies have shown that around a quarter of Scotland’s adults have issues with literacy and libraries tackle this by providing adult learning and promoting access to reading at a community level.
"We believe these closures would severely damage the ability to meet community needs and this may also disadvantage vulnerable groups. We would strongly suggest that an equalities impact assessment should be carried out if has not been already."
It has now emerged that there is an 11th hour bid to save them.
The Conservative/Liberal Democrat administration at East Dunbartonshire has proposed extra funds for East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, which operates the library service to stave off any closure.
It has been proposed that a one-off transitional funding allocation of £200,000 is made to the Trust in 2019/20.
Ann Davie, East Dunbartonshire Council's deputy chief executive for education, people and business said: "Whilst decisions in relation to libraries are a matter for East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, there are proposals within the council's 2019/2020 budget to provide additional funding to the trust to work, in partnership with the council, to review its Cultural Services provision (including main and small libraries) which would within 2019/20 mitigate any potential closure of its small libraries."
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