South Lanarkshire Council appear to be having a rethink about closing local libraries.
After all the upset, concern, public meetings, protesting and campaigning throughout 2024, the council this week seem to have reconsidered with a surprising and unexpected U-turn.
The news comes after the wonderful ‘Save Our Library’s Committee‘ handed over a petition with over 8,500 names protesting against the closures. The list was given directly to South Lanarkshire Council Leader, Joe Fagan at the County Buildings, in Hamilton earlier this week.
Mr Fagan advised protestors that Cambuslang Library would remain open after all for at least the next 2 years, news which was welcomed by the group. The meeting offered the campaigners the chance for a face to face meeting with Mr Fagan who spent some time to provide them with an update.
The Save our Library’s Committee has been at the forefront of the campaign to keep our libraries open in Lanarkshire, particularly vocal on the lack of communication from the council and previous decisions including the withdrawal of SLLC from community public buildings, which have caused so much upset in many Lanarkshire communities.
Blantyre was particularly hard hit when the decisions were first announced earlier this year, with not only the library but several community halls proposed to close. The latest update this week has suggested Blantyre and other libraries would remain open in some capacity but exact details and for how long are unknown.
It does beg the question, if a U-turn is available, why announce those plans in the first place?
It would appear that Blantyre library has had a stay of execution for now, but for how long? Like so many other people, we await official word from the council about what the exact plans are for all the libraries beyond July 2024. For now though people power has had an impact and shows the importance of maintaining a loud, collective voice in the community if we are to see our libraries kept open.
Photo: Shared to Telegraph earlier this week, credit to Jim Donnelly
