Sir, – It took the redoubtable author Val McDermid to provide real perspective on Fife Council’s decision to approve the closure of 16 libraries in the county (December 9).
She said: “I wouldn’t be a writer if it wasn’t for the public library system’’.
Those few words showed more concern and more sense than shown by the entire Fife Cultural Trust board and the minority Labour administration in Fife House.
These past few months have shown these authorities in the worst possible light: a bogus consultation, a narrow view of what community education and libraries are for, political posturing and a determination by some councillors to look to their own careers rather than the needs of those they represent.
I don’t deny that the campaign to keep these facilities open could have been handled better.
There should have been more intense lobbying of councillors, MSPs and MPs. More should have been made of the council’s decision to buy Iona House in Kirkcaldy and then allow cultural trust officials to move into it.
Perhaps more effort should have been devoted to drawing up and publicising alternative proposals, for example, a merger of Rothes Halls library and Glenwood, keeping both buildings open. There should have been more criticism of some of the information provided at the consultation sessions.
In the end though, there was just not enough public support for the libraries to worry either Fife councillors or officials. That was a pity because each closure means more opportunities and ambitions lost to communities who need, desperately, both these things to survive.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Library has vital role to play
Sir, -The decision of Fife Council to close Glenwood Library in Glenrothes is regrettable.
It is situated in the middle of the Macedonia/ Tanshall areas of west Glenrothes which feature on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
They are among the most deprived areas not only of Fife, but of Scotland.
The challenge facing local government is not merely to recognise where areas of multiple deprivation exist but rather to implement measures to reverse the downward spiral and sense of hopelessness which exists.
Positive intervention is required by the Scottish Government and Fife Council if Macedonia and Tanshall are to improve.
How is the closure of Glenwood Library going to assist this process?
A survey in England has shown that one of the key factors involved in enabling young people to rise out of poverty was their skill in reading.
Glenwood Library has a vital role to play in this regard and organises reading clubs and activity groups.
When Glenwood closes, one of the key influences in encouraging reading skills among the youngsters in that community will be lost, thus creating even higher hurdles to negotiate in the struggle for social and economic improvement.
Bob Hutchison. 2 Rosemount Crescent, Glenrothes.
Hypocrisy of Christian view
Sir, – I refer to David J Randall’s letter of December 10. Mr Randall seems guilty of monumental hypocrisy when he states that “when people do terrible things in the name of Christianity, that is not God’s fault”, having just stated that “atheism has been the cause of immense suffering and wickedness in the world”.
So if a Christian commits an offence it is not God’s fault, but if an atheist commits one, it is the fault of his beliefs and not the person who commits the offence?
Mr Randall’s view seems entirely one-sided, which is the domain of religions at their best.
I also feel inclined to point out to him that materialism and secularism are two entirely different concepts and the only thing which is a myth is his view that the two of them are intrinsically linked.
It would be quite possible to be secular but not to be concerned about having money and possessions and it would be equally possible to be concerned about having money and possessions above all, without worrying what part religion plays in the social and political activities of the country.
Colin Johnston. Newmill Cottage, By Eassie.
Cup should have been scrapped
Sir, – So let me get this right. I go away for a pre-Christmas break and return to find that Neil Doncaster has single-handedly saved Scottish football by revamping the league cup, a competition you cannot even qualify for Europe by winning.
It’ll start in July, minus our four European qualifiers, surely the very teams needing to get some competitive football under their belts ahead of the campaigns
The group stages will be seeded and heavily weighted in favour of the Premiership clubs and will include the participation of the Highland and Lowland League winners, which, technically speaking, no longer makes it a league cup. It’ll also be on a channel that, if we want to watch the games, we will need to subscribe to.
This competition has long since lost its appeal with supporters and should have been scrapped altogether rather than this lacklustre rebranding.
Eric Travers. 38 Gellatly Road, Dunfermline.
Another populist SNP overture
Sir, -What a wonderful world we live in. The Lord Advocate, the head of Scotland’s public prosecution service, whose salary is, of course, paid by us taxpayers, has confirmed that he will not prosecute Harry Clarke, the driver of the Glasgow bin lorry.
Yet a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government is quoted as saying that: “Scottish ministers would consider any request for public funding towards a private prosecution very carefully”.
If it were to happen that the Scottish Government did give financial assistance (again of course paid for by the taxpayers) to a private prosecution this would be a typically populist SNP action and the lunatics truly would have taken over the asylum.
Alastair L Stewart. 86 Albany Road, Broughty Ferry.
Historical fact of resurrection
Sir, – What a refreshing letter from Paul Read (December 11).
He reminded us that the resurrection of Jesus is one of the most attested facts in history.
It is not a matter of opinion or interpretation.
There were thousands who saw the risen Jesus. They witnesses spoke of what they saw and the stories rolled down the centuries.
That is why Jesus is history’s most important and influential figures.
I would encourage the many strident atheists who contribute to these pages to pause a little and consider the historical facts.
Robert Anderson. Kirkton, Arbroath.