Agenda item

The Committee received two deputations from Ms Laurie Mackay and Ms Karen Barrett. 

Ms Mackay in her presentation, outlined that libraries were about people and the way people had access to local libraries across Aberdeen had changed due to multiple changes in opening hours and a reduction in access to community branches across the city. Ms Mackay advised that whilst more people were using and seeking digital resources, there was still digital poverty in the city meaning these resources could not be accessed from every home either due to a lack of education, a lack of IT equipment, affordable internet, language barriers or disability. Libraries were also not all about accessing information and books, but also about learning, getting support to access information, and connecting with communities.

Ms Mackay presented a table ahead of the deputation and explained that it showed how library visits fell and then had been gradually increasing. Ms Mackay outlined that the total library visits did not reflect this within the context of the number of branches open, the total hours they were open for compared to how they once were before the COVID-19 pandemic closures. She advised that they also did not reflect the need in some areas, particularly where schools did not have a library and school librarian. Ms Mackay intimated that an empty classroom with books on display was not the same as a staffed school library service and noted that a school library had very limited access for communities, and that not all families educate their children through the schools. There were many families in Aberdeen who use libraries as part of their child's home learning instead of registering them at school.

Ms Mackay also stated that she hoped that as housing developments were approved in areas around the city, amenities such as community centres and libraries that were accessible to people of all ages were within a safe walking distance from their homes, noting that Stirling Council had been increasing its branches, opening up new staffed community libraries.

Ms Mackay explained that consideration needed to be taken with location.   She indicated that many people in Garthdee were unaware of their local library service due to it being based in Kaimhill School as well as it being closed for 2 years during the pandemic. She advised that often libraries within school buildings proved to be a barrier to people in the community who did not have children who attended that particular school.

Ms Mackay said that lower library footfall or lack of engagement in the consultation in neighbourhoods where there was the greatest need to improve mental health, educational attainment, and child literacy levels should not be used as a reason to reduce or close a community library service, but as an indicator that more needed to be done to help people to feel safe and welcome to access the services that could benefit them.

Ms Mackay advised thatan important factor was to do consultation with communities who had lost their libraries.  She indicated that she felt the closure of the Linksfield Library was still felt by people in Linksfield and Seaton, and many library users in Rosehill & Stockethill, Woodside, Hilton, Garthdee, Ferryhill & Broomhill, Northfield & Heathryfold and Cults had felt the loss of access and now total closure of their libraries. While some had been able to drive to other libraries that were open later and had car parking, others who do not drive had lost that same access they once had. Ms Mackay also hoped that the consultation was undertaken by someone independent of the Council and that the Council spoke with experts such as those at Scottish Library and Information Council, CILIP Scotland, Scottish Book Trust, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators British Isles Scotland branch, care and residential homes, the VSA, community frontline NHS staff, disability charities, Community Councils, teachers, librarians, and the Save Aberdeen Libraries campaign group.

Ms Mackay also asked that the timeline be changed as many groups and communities would not be meeting over the summer, and to allow community programmes to settle back in so they did not miss the opportunity to take part in the consultation.

In terms of the action to be taken, Ms Mackay asked that the average hourly footfall (calculated by taking into consideration the weekly opening hours of each library) be calculated for all library branches that were open before and after the pandemic and changes to hours/access level should be noted so Councillors could see the impact of this on users.   She also asked that officers look at PC usage in libraries in context of their opening hours as an indicator to digital access needed in those communities that could not be found at home.

Members then asked a number of questions based on Ms Mackay’s deputation.

The Committee then heard the deputation from Ms Karen Barrett.  In her deputation Ms Barrett explained that she campaigned to keep Ferryhill library.  Ms Barrett felt that it was a very hasty decision to close libraries was as they were alleviating loneliness in so many residents.  Ms Barrett indicated that the review should have been done before the closures and asked that the six closed libraries be included in the proposed review.

Ms Barrett outlined her concerns with the timing of the review, noting that students used the library services but would not be in Aberdeen during the summer months in order to participate in the review.  She asked that focus groups and interviews be held in September and asked not to consult then ignore the feedback received.  Ms Barrett also asked that an independent consultant be used to undertake the review. 

Ms Barrett highlighted that many of the closed libraries were used as warm spaces for residents, and also highlighted the 20 minutes neighbourhood that was being adopted in many new housing developments in Scotland.

Members also asked Ms Barrett a number of questions based on her deputation. 

Having heard both deputations, the Convener, on behalf of the Committee, expressed her thanks for their comments and input.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information provided during the deputations and to thank Ms Mackay and Ms Barrett for the information they presented.