Fife’s mobile library service will be cut to fortnightly runs across the whole of the kingdom.
It currently runs weekly in central Fife and fortnightly in west and east Fife but come the end of the month it will be fortnightly across the board.
Fife Cultural Trust has made a number of changes to its mobile library service after public consultation amid Fife’s controversial library closure plan.
Changes will reflect the needs of its users, the trust has claimed.
But SNP MP for Glenrothes Peter Grant said: “Communities that currently have a weekly library service will be shocked to learn that they will now only have one visit from a mobile library once a fortnight.
“Not only are Labour closing libraries, but the mobile library service is being severely cut back.
“Communities that had weekly visits are being reduced to fortnightly and some stops have been eliminated altogether.”
The new service will be offered on weekdays with some “evening availability” and books will be loaned for four weeks rather than three.
A new timetable, which includes new stops, will go live on Monday August 29.
Nearly 550 people took part in a survey which Fife Cultural Trust, which manages the service on behalf of Fife Council, said provided a “crucial platform” for improving the service.
Chief executive Heather Stuart said: “I would like to thank each and every one of our mobile library users who took the time to engage with us during this very valuable engagement process.
“Their feedback has been vital in assisting the trust to make appropriate changes where necessary to this very important service which will provide a more efficient, effective and improved library service that is reflective of our users’ needs.
“All mobile library stops will be reviewed every six months following implementation of the new service which will enable us to continue to listen and respond to our users’ changing needs.”
Council leader Councillor David Ross dismissed Mr Grant’s criticism as “pathetic”.
He said: “The background to these changes is the £90 million the council has had to save over three years because the council’s income is now almost completely controlled by the SNP-run Scottish Government.
“When we suggested increasing council tax this year to protect local services, the SNP government threatened to penalise the council to the tune of £25m.
“Even after these changes to libraries, Fife will have what is probably the most extensive library network in Scotland, with over 30 branches, and the council is working hard to support those communities that want to set up community-run facilities to supplement the mainstream network run by the Fife Cultural Trust.”
