Published Oct 2nd 2023. "How much value a country attaches to its libraries can often be a good indication of how much it values its people and the need for social mobility and equity..." writes Sean McNamara, Head of CILIP Scotland, as he implores the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance for greater support surrounding at-risk Library services.
Category: Consultation Responses
Author: CILIPS
Publisher: CILIPS
Published Oct 2nd 2023. Head of CILIP Scotland, Sean McNamara writes to North Lanarkshire Council in response to the recent council decision to close or relocate 7 vital Library services. Saying, "North Lanarkshire has 1 in 4 children living in poverty and these changes, along with the removal of all school librarian posts recently, will leave a huge gap in young people’s ability to access the resources they need."
Category: Consultation Responses
Author: CILIPS
Publisher: CILIPS
Published Mar 9th 2023. 'These changes could leave Aberdeen as having the lowest number of library branches per population in Scotland.' Head of CILIPS Sean McNamara warns Aberdeen City Councillors of the devastating impact that their proposal to decommission six public library branches would have on literacy, health and wellbeing, digital inclusion and community access to vital services.
Category: Consultation Responses
Author: CILIPS
Published Mar 9th 2023. 'It is your legal duty as a Council to provide library services that meet the needs of your community... Additionally, the changes you propose making to school libraries will strongly reduce the service you offer and directly affect the quality of education available.' Sean McNamara warns West Dunbartonshire Council of the adverse effects of budget proposals on public and school library users.
Category: Consultation Responses
Author: CILIPS
Published Feb 22nd 2023. 'The impact on young people would be long-term and substantial. Before it is too late, I ask you to do whatever is within your remit to encourage local authorities to rethink these proposals.' As budgetary threats to school librarianship across Scotland intensify, Head of CILIPS Sean McNamara asks the Cabinet Secretary for Education to establish a level of statutory service.
Category: Consultation Responses
Published Feb 13th 2023. Further to a letter sent on behalf of CILIPS to Clackmannanshire Council on 31st January, Head of CILIPS Sean McNamara shares evidence that refutes their budget proposal claim that library closures can be justified by a 'long term trend of declining use'. Post-COVID, the key metrics of people count and borrower numbers are rising, and supposed decreases in items borrowed fail to consider eBooks.
Category: Consultation Responses
Published Jan 31st 2023. 'We believe it would be deeply unfair on communities to justify closures on this basis, especially when the evidence of recent research reaffirms the vital importance of library spaces to the public.' Head of CILIPS Sean McNamara reminds Clackmannanshire Councillors that libraries have never been needed more as we emerge from the pandemic and must continue to be staffed by skilled professionals.
Category: Consultation Responses
Author: CILIPS
Published Jan 30th 2023. 'Where this has been attempted elsewhere in the UK it has significantly damaged the service or ultimately seen it close; it is the legal duty of a local authority to provide an adequate library service and one that has no staff is completely inadequate.' Head of CILIPS Sean McNamara warns Midlothian Councillors of the risks to citizens if proposed library cuts go ahead.
Category: Consultation Responses
Author: CILIPS