Moray Council has finally admitted that Findochty, Kinloss, Dufftown, Rothes and Hopeman libraries are on their hit list for closure, and has launched a consultation exercise to gauge the public's opinion.

Public opinion – at least in the communities concerned – will almost certainly mirror that of this newspaper: we see libraries as a crucial tool in life-long learning, and their future should not be based on finance alone.

Lending out books is only a fraction of the work of public libraries.

Libraries are recognised and heralded as delivery points for a range of facilities, encouraging literacy and the love of reading, giving access to IT services, information, and education – in America they call them 'street corner universities'.

Not least, libraries also provide a means of tackling social exclusion.

Moray Council claims that closing some libraries will free resources to improve others and that we will all benefit in the end.

Really? The most important factor in a library service is accessibility, and moving facilities, however much 'improved' they may be, means depriving the elderly, the young, the unemployed and the disadvantaged of easy access.

The library is the centre of the community; it can inform and transform lives. Personal computers are no substitute for public libraries that offer professional advice, guidance, encouragement and social interaction.

To cover a £7 million funding shortfall Moray Council is having to make some difficult decisions, but libraries cannot and must not be part of that cost-cutting plan.

Let's spik up for the Doric

WE MAY come under the umbrella of the Highlands and Islands, but we are also in Grampian, and for a good pairt o' Moray it's oor ain tongue.

There is quite rightly a campaign to preserve and promote the Gaelic language – Moray has a thriving Gaelic choir and will have its first Gaelic cultural festival in May – but there are genuine fears that the Doric is in terminal decline.

So it's affa' fine that fowk in Keith are bidding to promote the Mither Tongue through the Strathisla Scots Spikers – and they are inviting all those interested to get involved.

They plan to encourage the formal and informal teaching of Scots, gain equality for Scots speakers, and bring Doric events to the area.

They are also making a submission as part of the Scottish Executive's Scottish Language Strategy public consultation, which ends today.

If you want to make a contribution to the future of the Doric – if you want to make sure it has a future – then jyne the Spikers at their first wee get-thegither in the Ploo Lounge, Keith, on Thursday.

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