Arrangements for continuation of library services agreed
Councillors have agreed arrangements for the continuation of local library services in four Aberdeenshire communities.
The new arrangements for the Cruden Bay, Inverbervie, Macduff, and Newmachar libraries were supported by Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee on Thursday (Jun 5), alongside a wider update of work underway in other communities.
Since 2018, Aberdeenshire Council has been reviewing and implementing a programme of change within Aberdeenshire Library & Information Service (ALIS), reflecting changes in the way library users access services, the significant growth in digital tools, and the need to manage budget pressures.
This has led to a move away from standalone library buildings to a focus on co-location within communities, either in existing buildings or at other local sites, such as schools.
Communities Committee supported alternative arrangements for nine Aberdeenshire libraries in February this year, and agreed further consultation be undertaken to explore options for Cruden Bay, Inverbervie, Macduff, and Newmachar.
That work led to the development of proposals for all four libraries, which were agreed by the committee as follows and will see no reduction in public opening hours:
Cruden Bay Library: Services will be co-located within Port Erroll Primary School, supporting book browsing and library activities within the school, and staffed public access. The existing library building will be declared surplus to requirements by the service.
Inverbervie Library: Services will be co-located within Inverbervie Primary School, supporting book browsing and library activities within the school, and staffed public access. Activities such as summer programmes and Bookbug sessions will be scheduled at Inverbervie Sports Centre. Services will support neighbouring communities in Gourdon, Johnshaven and St Cyrus, and the existing library building will be declared surplus to requirements by the service.
Macduff Library: The library will remain open, with a community-based ‘friends of’ group created to work in partnership with the council to identify groups to rent space within the existing library building.
Newmachar Library: Services will be co-located within Newmachar Primary School, supporting book browsing and activities for pupils and library users. The neighbouring Axis Centre will provide opportunities for additional activities, such as Bookbug sessions. The existing library building will be declared surplus to requirements by the service.
The committee was also updated on the progress of requests from community groups to take a leading role in the future management of library sites. This includes applications for ‘licences to occupy’ buildings while applications for formal transfer of sites are developed.
Negotiations around such licences are currently underway for Balmedie Library and New Pitsligo Library, and a licence has been agreed for Strichen Library. Cairnbulg Library, meanwhile, is to be co-located within Inverallochy School.
During the meeting, the committee heard from representatives of the Macduff and Newmachar communities about local library services.
Councillors heard that the newly-formed Newmachar Culture and Learning Association is progressing a licence to occupy request for the library building with a view to developing a community asset transfer application
The committee encouraged the community group to work with council area officers in development of their proposals.
The Macduff representative welcomed the support for keeping the library open and spoke of community efforts to generate income and build links with local groups.
Following the agreement of the new arrangements, Communities Committee chair Cllr Anne Stirling welcomed the partnership working to reach local solutions.
“Aberdeenshire has maintained and retained its library provision across our communities and sought to identify different ways to deliver a service,” she said.
“There has clearly been good engagement, good discussion, and communities have been listened to. We have lost no provision in terms of library service. We will continue to work across all settings and work on continuous improvement to deliver best value and the best service that we can within the constraints that we have.”