A national campaign group has urged Moray’s libraries to be protected as the council prepares for another round of budget cuts.
Libraries in Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Fochabers, Lossiemouth and Tomintoul all came under threat when the authority considered its financial plans for this year.
Despite the concerns, all were saved. However, many now operate with reduced opening hours, fewer staff and smaller budgets for books and other materials.
In that environment, and with further cuts anticipated in the future, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (Cilip) has asked the council to safeguard the amenities when it conducts a review of its leisure estate.
Proposed library closures have provoked a mixed reaction among Moray communities in recent years.
Children wove banners against the potential closures during a colourful march in 2013 that saved Burghead, Dufftown and Cullen from closure – but failed to win a reprieve for four other sites.
However, some community leaders subsequently called for libraries to face the axe so that other council services could be saved including school crossing patrollers, public toilets and Elgin Community Centre.
Moray Council saved £10.3million from its current budget in February and expects to have to make a similar amount of savings next year.
Sean McNamara, head of Cilip in Scotland, has written to the authority to ensure his organisation and trade unions are part of any budget proposals targeting libraries.
He said: “We recognise this is the beginning of a process. Our concern is that it may lead to library services being delivered in ways that affect the local community’s ability to access an adequate public library service as required by the Local Government Act.
“Particularly, if the model that was ultimately pursued, was one where library services were to be delivered by fewer paid and trained staff without adequate council funding.
“Libraries support the current digital strategies in Scotland and deliver substantial social and economic benefits to citizens and communities including improved educational attainment, better job prospects, better access to public services and cheaper goods and products.
“However, all of this is only possible when libraries are properly resourced, managed and staffed. I would hope that any decision taken ensures this remains the case.”
Moray Council’s SNP administration was approached for comment, but did not respond.