Greens pledge library access for every community in Scotland

Every community in Scotland would be promised access to a library under plans announced by the Scottish Greens.

The party said access to a library would be provided through a public library, a school library or a mobile library service.

The Greens said libraries are an essential local service which provide support “far beyond books alone”.

They vowed to work with councils, which run libraries, to ensure they receive “consistent financial support” – although the party did not provide any figures.

Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Green candidate for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “Libraries are an essential part of any thriving community.

“For so many people they are a lifeline, offering access to learning, technology, information and a welcoming public space at the heart of local life.

“Our libraries are more than just books. For children and young people, libraries open up a world of imagination and opportunity, and for us older people, they can provide connection and companionship when it’s needed the most.”

Mr Ruskell said for many people who cannot afford reliable internet access at home, libraries “offer a vital source of practical support to get them connected to the world around them, opening up job opportunities for jobseekers, and giving those with the least a lifeline to give them a chance”.

He said too many libraries in Scotland have been “hollowed out or lost all together, after years of brutal financial pressure on local councils”.

He added: “Communities deserve better than seeing these cherished spaces and the community wellbeing they represent quietly disappear.

“The Scottish Greens are demanding better. With more MSPs in Holyrood, we will recognise libraries as an essential community service and make sure every community has access to one, whether that is through a public library, school library or mobile service.

“We will also ensure councils have the vital financial backing they need to keep these hubs open by ensuring those with the broadest shoulders pay what they should.

“On May 7, people can vote Scottish Greens to protect the services that bring communities together and make sure no community is left without access to a library.”