Over 300 people gather outside Perth Museum to protest closure of five libraries

Over 300 campaigners gathered outside Perth Museum on Saturday to protest against the proposed closure of five Perth and Kinross libraries.

Residents from Scone, Alyth, Auchterarder, Comrie, and Birnam spoke passionately about the importance of their libraries to communities.

Book lovers of all ages joined, as well as local politicians from across the political divide.

There were even performances from Comrie’s Earnsong Choir, who encouraged campaigners to join in and sing their support for their local library with Ode to Libraries, as well as a specially adapted parody of Bill Withers’ Lean on Me.

A range of speakers addressed the crowd assembled outside Perth Museum, led by campaigner Jen Newell, who acted as MC.

Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell called on Perth and Kinross Council to listen to its residents.

Speaking after the event, Mr Ruskell said: “The council should sit up and listen to the communities that it serves. Libraries are much loved and are in many cases the only warm and free spaces available for everyone to use.

“It is hugely short-sighted to cut libraries when they support many vulnerable people of all ages who would otherwise be isolated and abandoned.

“Ultimately, shutting rural libraries will just push the pressure onto health, social care and education services to support people who will be left with fewer local support services.”

He believes the introduction of a visitor levy, as well as increasing council tax, could fund library services.

The local Green MSP added: “There is strength in unity, and the demonstration should leave the council in doubt about the resolve of Perthshire communities to stop these cuts.

“The council has the option to raise council tax and could follow other councils by bringing in a visitor levy to bring extra funds for culture and libraries. It’s time for the council to end the uncertainty and take the cuts off the table for good, protect library services and library staff.”

Despite the bitterly cold weather, Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser was warmed by the communities coming together to make their voices heard.

Campaigners from Save Our Rural Libraries gathered outside Perth Museum on Saturday. LDRS

He said: “I was pleased to attend and be asked to speak at a very well-attended rally in support of our rural libraries on Saturday. Despite the freezing temperatures, hundreds of people were present, representing the communities of Comrie, Alyth, Auchterarder, Scone, and Birnam, all of which have libraries under threat of closure.

“As we heard over and over on Saturday, libraries are not just places to borrow books but important community hubs whose loss would have a devastating impact, particularly for the young, the elderly and the disadvantaged.

“It will be up to Perth and Kinross Council when they set their budget next month to decide if these libraries will close or not. I hope that the SNP administration will listen to all those speaking out against the closures and do the right thing.”

A number of Perth and Kinross councillors were in attendance on Saturday ,including Jack Welch from the council’s SNP administration.

The Strathmore ward councillor said the SNP was minded to support library services in its budget plans.

Cllr Welch said: “The key change is the Scottish Government has been able to release additional funding and, in terms of council tax, we don’t have a council tax freeze this year. That potentially brings some additional scope, effectively, to incorporate within that budget process.

“From the administration’s perspective, while we can’t make any promises at this stage, we are very minded to support library provision but to try and do that in a sustainable long-term way that doesn’t ultimately kick the problem a year or two years down the track.”

He added: “While nothing is guaranteed, additional support from the Scottish Government and potentially additional funding through council tax should help us to protect library services.”

A spokesperson for Save Our Rural Libraries said: “We had a truly fantastic turnout, with over 300 people attending from the five affected communities of Scone, Alyth, Auchterarder, Comrie, and Birnam.

“Jen, our MC, led the assembled group through our list of speakers, which included affected residents, as well as MSPs Murdo Fraser (Conservative) and Mark Ruskell (Green), as well as local Strathmore Ward councillors Colin Stewart (Independent) and Jack Welch (SNP).

“All spoke passionately about the critical importance of our libraries, their value as both a learning and resource hub, and as a central pillar for our community.

“SORL [Save Our Rural Libraries] will be organising an additional protest to encourage the council to listen to its residents and protect our valuable libraries.”

Elected members will meet on February 26 to set the budget allocation for libraries when they set Perth and Kinross Council’s 2025/26 budget.

A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross – which runs the area’s libraries on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “We have been heartened by the outpouring of support for libraries across Perth and Kinross. Discussions with various individuals and communities across the region are ongoing.

“We welcome the opportunity to engage with any groups who have suggestions about how library services can be maintained within a challenging financial environment.”