CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save their local libraries are taking their protest to the streets.
An Action Day is taking place against the closure of seven of Moray’s facilities, included in the local authority's budget plan.
Writers and local politicians will visit Burghead for the ‘Save Moray Libraries’ event on March 16, designed to show the strength of opposition to the move. Communities across Moray are being urged to attend to send a “clear message” to the local authority that the closures are not wanted.
Under the council’s budget, agreed on February 13, facilities at Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Findochty, Hopeman, Portknockie and Rothes, as well as a mobile unit, will close.
The leader of the council, Councillor Alan Wright, said the move to embark on a programme of closures was not taken lightly. He stressed, however, that significant savings have to be made. The closures would see spending reduced by £200,000 in 2013/14 and £357,000 in subsequent years.
The Action Day will see protesters march from Burghead Library to the top of the town. “We are keen to have representatives with banners from the other towns threatened with library closures attend,” said campaigner Joan Megson. The protest march is expected to get underway at 2pm. Plans for the day are being firmed up, with updates posted on the group’s ‘Save Burghead Library’ Facebook page.
