Save Birnam Library
Save Birnam Library
The Issue
We call on the Scottish Government to prioritise our libraries, and for Perth and Kinross Council (PKC), and Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) to keep Birnam library open. Our much-loved library in Dunkeld and Birnam must remain open to all and be operated as a public service by Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) fully funded by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC).
Our library is at the heart of our community.
A recent consultation launched by CPK on our library service is focussed on "alternative models of library provision" rather than keeping our minimal library service as it is. Closing Birnam Library will affect those that rely most on the library, toddlers, preschoolers, the elderly & those with mobility challenges deeply. It is negligent of CPK and PKC to deny these groups access to this essential service.
Library services 12 miles away are not viable alternatives, inaccessible to most in light of reduced public transport services and increased travel costs.
At a time when Scotland is showing long-term decline in reading performance, when 1 in 12 children do not own a book, when people’s lives are increasingly solitary and society more polarised, there has never been a more important moment to stand up for our libraries.
We want a library that is accessible to all, which continues to build on the enthusiasm for reading, learning and coming together that is shared across our community of Dunkeld & Birnam and beyond.
Above all we are campaigning for our libraries to be valued as the critical public infrastructure they are.
We believe that Birnam Library, situated in its designated Reading Room within Birnam Institute has one of the lowest running costs of all PKC libraries, with the shortest opening hours of all.
We want PKC to be transparent about how much each library costs to run – looking at its own budget and CPK's – and to provide the relatively tiny amount required to keep our rural libraries open. The Scottish Government must ensure Local Authorities such as PKC have the resources to enable them to support local libraries, to build on community enthusiasm for books and learning rather than suffocating and stifling children, young people and adults’ thirst and love for books.
For everyone that recognises our libraries as a basic service just like roads, water and energy, we are saying SAVE OUR LIBRARY!
Contact us at:
savebirnamlibrary@gmail.com
To join the campaign!
The Issue
We call on the Scottish Government to prioritise our libraries, and for Perth and Kinross Council (PKC), and Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) to keep Birnam library open. Our much-loved library in Dunkeld and Birnam must remain open to all and be operated as a public service by Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) fully funded by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC).
Our library is at the heart of our community.
A recent consultation launched by CPK on our library service is focussed on "alternative models of library provision" rather than keeping our minimal library service as it is. Closing Birnam Library will affect those that rely most on the library, toddlers, preschoolers, the elderly & those with mobility challenges deeply. It is negligent of CPK and PKC to deny these groups access to this essential service.
Library services 12 miles away are not viable alternatives, inaccessible to most in light of reduced public transport services and increased travel costs.
At a time when Scotland is showing long-term decline in reading performance, when 1 in 12 children do not own a book, when people’s lives are increasingly solitary and society more polarised, there has never been a more important moment to stand up for our libraries.
We want a library that is accessible to all, which continues to build on the enthusiasm for reading, learning and coming together that is shared across our community of Dunkeld & Birnam and beyond.
Above all we are campaigning for our libraries to be valued as the critical public infrastructure they are.
We believe that Birnam Library, situated in its designated Reading Room within Birnam Institute has one of the lowest running costs of all PKC libraries, with the shortest opening hours of all.
We want PKC to be transparent about how much each library costs to run – looking at its own budget and CPK's – and to provide the relatively tiny amount required to keep our rural libraries open. The Scottish Government must ensure Local Authorities such as PKC have the resources to enable them to support local libraries, to build on community enthusiasm for books and learning rather than suffocating and stifling children, young people and adults’ thirst and love for books.
For everyone that recognises our libraries as a basic service just like roads, water and energy, we are saying SAVE OUR LIBRARY!
Contact us at:
savebirnamlibrary@gmail.com
To join the campaign!
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Petition created on 26 August 2024