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Library petition submitted to the Scottish Parliament

Thursday 18 December

A petition urging the Scottish Government to ensure continued provision of local libraries and the vital social and educational role they serve within communities was presented at the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee meeting on Tuesday 16th December.

The petition (PE 1148) was lodged by Sam Coulter of Erskine Community Council following the closure of four small service points in Renfrewshire Council last year.

The Committee also received supporting submissions from the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and the Scottish Government, as well as East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Glasgow City and Shetland Isles Council.

Committee Convener, Frank McAveety MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, commented that libraries were a matter for local authorities but that there were some issues concerning how libraries should be embedded in Single Outcome Agreements.

In closing the petition, Bill Butler MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, called on the Committee to write to the Scottish Government and ask that they continue to work with SLIC and COSLA to ensure the future of public library services in Scotland in the current financial climate.

SLIC is the advisory body to the Scottish Government and also administers the Public Library Quality Improvement Fund (PLQIF) and performance monitoring framework on the Government’s behalf.

Following on from the Parliamentary Petition, SLIC has published the summary reports from nine local authority library service’s supported self evaluation programme, which were carried out through 2007/8.

By Using the Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix, library services have been able to demonstrate that they are fulfilling their legal requirement to deliver an adequate service.

SLIC Director, Elaine Fulton, said: “The continuation of PLQIM funding has been a welcome cash injection to support the innovation and development inherent in a healthy, forward-looking library service. However, there are currently some concerns that local authorities will have severe financial pressures that may impact on the quality of services.”

The PLQIM reports demonstrate how well-supported library services can be developed, encouraging staff and communities to shape the services to cater for users from a range of backgrounds, as evidenced by the Libraries4U programme in Edinburgh and work with Visually Impaired and Housebound in East Dunbartonshire. There is also evidence of users informing renovation and development work.

Libraries are working collaboratively to share information, resources and best practice through joint procurement and purchasing arrangements, developing shared services and increasingly offering online services to users outside of traditional library buildings.

Christine May, former MSP for Central Fife and Chair of SLIC, commented: ”Although the reports present largely good news, this is not a time for complacency for local authorities or librarians themselves. Recent surveys and feedback have demonstrated that the library service is a valued community service which supports reading, information and learning. SLIC is pleased to have developed a toolkit which helps services demonstrate this important work and not just the number of books issued.”

Notes to editors

About SLIC

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is the independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on library and information matters. SLIC members include all local authority, higher education and further education institutions, NHS Trust library services and other specialist library and information organisations.

SLIC was established in 1991 and is funded by organisational membership subscriptions. The Scottish Government partially funds the Council in its work and The National Library of Scotland also contributes financial assistance.

Public Library Quality Improvement Fund (PLQIF)

The PLQIF was launched by the Scottish Executive in 2006/07 to support the Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM), a quality assurance and performance monitoring framework for public libraries.  PLQIM was developed by SLIC in collaboration with the Scottish Executive.  PLQIF financial support is awarded by SLIC on an annual basis to assist public library services in the implementation of PLQIM.

All library services within Scotland’s 32 local authorities are eligible to apply to SLIC for funding. Applications for funding are made by individual local authorities based on needs and priorities at a local level.