Moray library protesters mobilise support

Protests are gathering pace over plans to close seven libraries around Moray.

Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Fochabers, Keith, Lossiemouth and Tomintoul are all under serious threat from council cutbacks. However campaigners have vowed to fight the move.

About 120 people gathered in Lossiemouth Library on Friday to voice their opposition.

Another set of campaigners used Elgin as a focal point on Tuesday evening where a zoom call connected them with others fighting to retain Cullen Library.

Meanwhile a protest is planned for this coming Saturday in Burghead.

If the cutbacks are voted through then only four libraries – Elgin, Forres, Buckie and Aberlour – will remain to cover the whole of Moray.

At more than 20,000 people per library, this would represent the worst ratio across the whole UK.

Burghead and Cummingston community council has sent an official letter to Moray Council outlining its strong opposition.

It says: “We acknowledge that difficult decisions must be made, and that budget cuts are inevitable. However, it is clear that these cuts consistently target the smallest, most vulnerable rural communities.”

Another letter from Lossiemouth community council said: “Our community is shocked and angry by the news that our much loved and well used local library is under threat of closure once again.

“Whilst we have every sympathy with the difficult financial situation Moray Council finds itself in, the closure of yet another frontline service is not a remedy to solve the problem.

“There is a statutory obligation to provide adequate public library facilities to the people of Moray.”

Moray Council publicly announced its closure proposals on November 12.

Its online survey asking the public their views has a very short deadline of December 3. It can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/Libraries_budget

Paper copies can now also be picked up at any library in Moray.

Letters are also being sent to Moray’s MP and MSP, as well as all 26 Moray councillors who will ultimately vote on whether the closures take place

The protest in Burghead has been organised for 1pm on Saturday at the library.

Campaigners are also asking for those fighting to maintain the library at Tomintoul to make contact.