Sixteen Fife libraries will close within a year, it has been confirmed.
In a decision branded “calamatous” by one SNP councillor, the axe will fall on February 28 2017 at the latest.
Some communities will lose their local service within just six weeks following the vote by a full meeting of Fife Council.
The controversial move followed hours of emotional debate and anger that a decision was being made a week before the deadline for alternative proposals from community groups.
Organisations in half of the affected communities have already submitted their intention to take over the running of library services in new locations.
Facilities in Colinsburgh, Crail, East Wemyss, Falkland, Kinghorn, Markinch, Pittenweem and Pitteuchar will stay open for a year to allow plans to be worked on.
Community councils in Lundin Links and Crossgates have indicated they hope to do likewise.
But no-one has come forward in Bowhill, Freuchie, Thornton and Townhill which means services there will be lost.
Question marks still remain over services in Glenwood in Glenrothes and Abbeyview in Dunfermline, with the council opting to take another six months to decide on the feasibility of relocating to nearby schools.
The relocation of public access PCs has also yet to be worked out.
Council leader David Ross recognised libraries were valued in communities but said the “challenging” financial position faced by the local authority meant there was no choice but to vote for closure,
“Across Fife, we will still have one of the largest library networks in Scotland,” he said.
“Unlike some other councils, we will still maintain the book fund and the school library service, we will enhance the housebound service and will make much better use of the mobile service,” he said.
He said voting to close the 16 facilities would ensure a sustainable library service for the future.
Opposition councillors disagreed however, and called for all 16 to remain open for a further year to allow more time to work on alternative delivery models.
Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Brett said: “Yes, it would be expensive but what’s the value to our communities, to our children, to our elderly?”
Councillor George Kay added: “I speak as someone who has tried to save the Kinghorn library since June 22 when I first heard the calamatous news.
“I spoke to hundreds of people and what they have told me is not reflected in the conclusion of the consultation.
“The people of Kinghorn want their library left open.”