There is 'no appetite' for voluntary library services

Perth and Kinross residents are not interested in having volunteer-led library services.

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Culture Perth and Kinross chief Helen Smout recently told councillors there was "no appetite" for this in the area.

A voluntary service model was one of the options being explored by the organisation as part of its review of library services in Perth and Kinross.

When setting the 2025/26 budget in February, councillors committed an additional £1 million of funding over the next two years to maintain the current library and museum services. The idea is the funding will be used to design the approaches for each community over the first year and help support the transition to the agreed approach the following year.

The council's U-turn on libraries was made following the passionate protests of hundreds of library users, who successfully fought to save five rural libraries - Alyth, Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone - from closure. Over 5000 signatures were collected on petitions, and a series of demonstrations were held, including one attended by around 300 protestors and local politicians outside Perth Museum in January 2025.

Ms Smout told councillors at the April 23 meeting of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee: "The libraries in this past year have seen just under a five per cent increase in footfall. We're still not quite back to pre-pandemic levels but it is a very heartening thing to see.