Concerned Oban Library users speak out over cuts to hours

She said: "Not only are they the generations who grew up reading books and gaining knowledge from reference books, and who still have a passion for reading, but many of our members might now go to the library to use computers and printers in the knowledge that they will be helped if needed.  

"Many live alone and use the library as a warm and safe place of comfort where there is no hurry to leave and it does not cost anything.

"Many live on a pension and prefer to rent books from a library rather than buy them. Many use public transport. The revised opening hours might restrict all of that."

Claire Bryden, currently seconded to the role of National Advisor for Literacy and English for Education Scotland, is a keen member of Oban and Lorn Writer’s Group, which holds regular events at Oban Library. 

She added: “It’s fundamental to any community that there are spaces where people of all ages and from all backgrounds can access texts of all types. 

“It’s fundamentally important for wellbeing and for creativity. It’s vital from a nurturing perspective, but also for equity that everyone has access to texts that relate to them and their life.

“There are so many opportunities that are disappearing because of funding. The library is more than just the books within it, it is the community it creates.”

The Scottish Book Trust has been carrying out its own research on the impact and value of libraries and its CEO Mark Lambert says the charity was “very concerned” to hear about the temporary reduction in Oban Library’s hours. 

He added: “Libraries are absolutely essential to communities and access to books and related services are what can make a huge difference to a person’s life.

“In addition, libraries offer Bookbug sessions for parents with young children up until school age, and any change in library services that complicate all that is going to impact on speech and language development and young people.”

A spokesperson told us Live Argyll is “aware of the importance of libraries” and “committed to ensuring that all elements of the service remain in place during the temporary opening hours”.

They added that Live Argyll endorses the sentiments of a recent letter sent by Alison Nolan, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), to Council Leader Jim Lynch asking for decision-makers to prioritise sustainable investment in libraries.

Council Leader Jim Lynch said: "This year, in our Administration Partnership Group budget, we took the decision to protect support to Live Argyll.

"The budget pack included a proposal to reduce the management fee by £311k as part of a suite of measures to balance the council’s own budget.

"We chose to fund this through reserves for this year in light of Live Argyll’s current financial pressures."