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Scottish Parliament Members Debate & Demonstration

Category: Blog, Campaigning

Kirsten holding a school libraries are essential blackboard with Mark Ruskell.

Following CILIP Scotland’s stall in the Scottish Parliament in December 2024, and the recent steadfast campaigning of local library campaign groups, Scottish Green’s Mark Ruskell MSP has submitted a ‘Save Local Libraries’ members debate to the Scottish Parliament. This follows the Party’s open letter in early January which you can click here to read.

At this stage the motion has received cross-party support, and the debate is scheduled to take place on Wednesday the 5th of February at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The exact timing and details of the debate will appear on the Scottish Parliament website, and we understand it is likely to be after 5pm.

If you’d like to read more about the motion and who has supported it then please click here.

One of the best ways you can support this debate is to contact your local MSP and encourage them to attend the debate. You can click here to find who your local MSP representative is, and contact them via email. We also have a wealth of advocacy evidence and support which you can use, click here to see more and find our sample letter template.

Local campaign groups and friends of Scotland’s libraries may consider if they would like to attend the debate or hold a demonstration outside the Parliament, this could be a fantastic opportunity for coverage and also to make your voice heard!

If you are planning a demonstration and would like support please email leah.higgins@cilips.org.uk, and we will help where possible.

Scottish Parliament Save Local Libraries Debate, Wednesday the 5th February 2025. What you can do to support libraries and librarians. Contact your local MSPs and ask them to attend the debate. Consider attending the debate. Share our messages & evidence on libraries in Scotland.   Scottish Parliament Save Local Libraries Debate, Wednesday the 5th February 2025. MSPs can do the following: To visit local libraries and be aware of the extensive evidence that supports their impact and continued funding. The Scottish Government ensures that local authorities meet their legal obligations to provide public libraries and hold them to account when this is threatened, and this includes reductions in staffing and budgets. A local government funding model that ensures library funding can be consistent and robust. Continued commitment to a strategic approach to Scotland’s libraries.