As financial constraints and budget cuts cast shadows over the future of library services, the professional body for librarians in Scotland is urging the Scottish people to show their love for libraries, and make their voices heard in support of library services.
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) has developed a new website – www.lovescottishlibraries.org – which aims to harness the support of the Scottish public to show politicians and policymakers just how much libraries are valued within our communities.
In the last year, there were nearly 30 million visits to Scotland’s public libraries, and millions more to libraries of other types, like in universities, schools, colleges, or even the health service and other specialist information centres.
Financial constraints and budget cuts will affect libraries in all sectors, and this at a time when people will need their libraries more – to help with job seeking and retraining, to access the internet, or to skim money off the household budget by borrowing that expensive text book or latest best-seller.
Bucking the trend of declining visits being reported elsewhere, visits to Scottish libraries are actually increasing, showing just how important our services are to cultural life and economic development in this country.
To keep enjoying access to libraries and their services, CILIPS is encouraging people to please make their voices heard for libraries by entering a comment of support in an online guestbook, or by signing an online petition, which has already gained the support of top Scottish authors Theresa Breslin and Quintin Jardine.
President of CILIPS, Alan Reid, said: "The Love Scottish Libraries website has been developed to let people express their support for libraries and to recognise the need for professional and well-trained staff.
“Libraries have attracted increased media attention in recent months, highlighting the passion which many in Scotland share for their libraries, and the rising tide of concern about what the current public service financial cuts will mean.
“We encourage everyone to lend their support for libraries of all kinds by visiting www.lovescottishlibraries.org and making their voices heard for libraries!”
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