THOSE joining last night’s meeting of Stonehaven and District Community Council shared their anger and disappointment at Aberdeenshire Council’s engagement on the proposed move of the town’s library to Viewmount – and heard there was no ‘done deal’ as the final decision will be taken by the Communities Committee.
Chair Rachel Frame said the consultation process lacked any facts or figures or background to the potential move. She branded it ‘patronising’.
”Filling in hearts and thought bubbles did not make it feel like serious consultation,” she added.
Steve McQueen said people were confused by the structure of the engagement event with different tables to record their thoughts. And he highlighted the lack of publicity by Live Life Aberdeenshire.
”There was not even an invitation on Facebook,” he said.
Area manager Tim Stephen said the Council was aware of concerns about the engagement, which had deliberately targeted ‘active users’ of the library rather than the wider community.
”What we have been trying to do is something proportional to what we are proposing. The only change to the library service is a geographic one – a move about 80m up the road. We are making no other changes,” he said
Members of the public spoke out – a home-schooling mother said she relied on the library for books and teaching packs. She’d had no invitation to the engagement and feared disabled access at Viewmount was not being competently addressed.
Others spoke to the other important uses of the library other than just borrowing books – a place where people could go to seek warmth and company.
”It is one of the few places where people can go, where there is no expectation of spending money,” said one resident.
SDCC member Andy McArdle flagged the importance of the library windows which are used for public information and to promote 20-40 local groups each year.
He said: ”Some 450,000 to 600,000 people go past the library windows each year. All that reach would drop to zero if the library moved to Viewmount.
Kirby Porter introduced himself to the meeting saying he had worked in library services for over 40 years.
He said: ”A library that loses its visibility from the community it serves has no future. It will just wither on the vine. Unless it stays where it is, you might as well just close it.”
How the decision will be made
Brian Menzies said Stonehaven’s residents liked to think they were being treated openly, honestly and transparently.
”But it’s like you have made a decision,” he said.
”What is driving this?”
Mr Stephen revealed a ‘challenging’ £300,000 repair bill would be faced in the next three years by the local authority, if the library were to remain in its present home on Evan Street. He conceded there were no costings for work required to relocate to Viewmount – clearing and reconfiguring rooms, and providing competent and safe access. Thus far, only indicative plans have been prepared.
Alistair Lawrie, who before he retired worked at Viewmount, challenged the presumption moving the library was the most prudent option.
”You are not going to save money,” he said.
It appears the final say on Stonehaven’s library will be had by a committee with representatives from across the Shire.
Mr Stephen said the input from the two recent session will be analysed and options looked at – there may be further engagement. Options for Stonehaven’s library will be considered and a report prepared for the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee, who will be asked to comment.
A further report will then be presented to the Communities Committee, who have the final decision on the proposals. It was noted none of the councillors for Ward 18 – Stonehaven – sit on this committee.
Mr Stephen added: ”The Council policy is to rationalise assets.”
“Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities.”
R. David Lankes