Hundreds attend protest against proposed Perth and Kinross library closures

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Over 300 campaigners gathered outside Perth Museum on Saturday, January 11 to protest against the proposed closure of five Perth and Kinross libraries.Residents from Scone, Alyth, Auchterarder, Comrie, and Birnam spoke passionately about the importance of their libraries to communities.Book lovers of all ages joined the throng as well as local politicians from across the political divide.

There were even performances from Comrie's Earnsong Choir who encouraged campaigners to join in and sing their support for their local library with Ode to Libraries (to the tune of My Favourite Things ) as well as a specially adapted parody of Bill Withers' Lean on Me called Lean on Me (Library).A range of speakers addressed the crowd assembled outside Perth Museum, led by campaigner Jen Newell who acted as MC.Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell called on Perth and Kinross Council to listen to its residents.Speaking after the event, Mr Ruskell said: "The council should sit up and listen to the communities that it serves.

Libraries are much loved and are in many cases the only warm and free spaces available for everyone to use. It is hugely short-sighted to cut libraries when they support many vulnerable people of all ages who would otherwise be isolated and abandoned.

Ultimately, shutting rural libraries will just push the pressure onto health, social care and education services to support people who will be left with fewer local support services."He believes the introduction of a visitor levy as well as increasing council tax could fund library services.The local Green MSP added: "There is strength in unity and the demonstration should leave the council in doubt about the resolve of Perthshire communities to stop these cuts.