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Fight to save libraries ‘has only just begun’

Fight to save libraries ‘has only just begun’

A Fife body is considering legal action as a last ditch bid to save its axed library.

Freuchie community council claims the battle has only just begun in the wake of last week’s controversial decision to close its library along with several others.

Secretary Patrick Laughlin said the loss of the library would cause immeasurable damage to literacy levels, access to benefits and quality of life.

The fate of services in the village, along with libraries in Bowhill, Thornton and Townhill, appeared to have been sealed when a full Fife Council meeting voted to shut them.

Councillors said they had no option after no one in those communities came up with an alternative plan to allow services to continue, despite being given the chance to do so.

The closure of Colinsburgh, Crail, East Wemyss, Falkland, Kinghorn, Markinch, Pittenweem and Pitteuchar libraries has been deferred for a year to allow plans by local organisations to be worked on.

Community councils in Lundin Links and Crossgates have indicated they also intend to submit plans and a decision on Glenwood and Abbeyview will now take place in six months while relocation to nearby high schools is considered.

Mr Laughlin said: “Needless to say, it will be the most disadvantaged members of society who will be worst affected our elderly, our children and those claiming benefits,” he said.

“What makes matters even worse is that in taking this decision, administration councillors and officials knowingly singled out the locations which had not come up with ‘alternative delivery plans’ for their libraries.

“In other words, the very places which are most in need those which lack sufficient community capacity and ability to run their own libraries.”

Mr Laughlin added: “Working with others across Fife, we will now move to higher levels and continue to ask these questions in the courts if necessary until proper answers are provided.

“Fife Council’s administration and Fife Cultural Trust might believe this matter is now concluded, but in truth the battle to save our public libraries has only just begun.”