NAC Budgeting Process: Late last year/early this year the last proposed change for NAC libraries was closure of 7 libraries. Subsequently funding was found during the budgeting process to stave off these closures during Fiscal Year 2026-27. So with a “challenging financial environment” and yet another nasty surprise for the public on libraries, the only conclusion that the public can come to is that public finances aren’t being managed properly, the budgeting process is flawed or spending is out of control, possibly both.
Value to the Community: We need to recognise the value that libraries bring to the local community. Stevenston is one of the most deprived areas of the country. We should be encouraging young people in Stevenston to use libraries as part of their personal development and to support them in preparing them for work e.g. CV preparation, internet access. It’s unreasonable to expect someone from the top end of Stevenston to travel to Saltcoats or Ardrossan to get the use of a computer. Staffing: I’d ask Library Service Managers to take a hard look at the role of “librarians”. They do so much more than manage NACs book catalogue, e.g. the work they do with children from local schools, book clubs etc., etc. We need to have more respect for librarians and cease having them work under the continual threat of hours reduction and redundancy. These are skilled people who could easily expand their roles rather than face reduction in their hours.
Managing Public Assets: libraries are public buildings not council buildings and as such the public have every right to expect these buildings to be open 6 days a week, worst case 5. Having a public asset, such as a library building, utilised less than half of the week as id proposed is totally unacceptable. Library Management: NAC need to stop using libraries as a soft target every time a “financial wind blows” bringing threat of closure or reduction of hours. I expect NAC managers and executives to be more positive and creative in how the library service is used and managed. More flexibility, use of new technology, etc, Library The public need to have more transparency on the alternatives, if any which were considered.
Wednesday & Saturday opening alternate weeks: This isn’t at all practical and hasn’t been thought through. How will the public know if the library is open on a particular Wednesday or Saturday? With this uncertainty the outcome is likely to be a significant reduction in footfall and borrowing rate on those days. As it all seems to be about numbers and charts, on the next review this will lead to proposed closure on these days. With these days being inoperable, this takes the reduction for Stevenston to 57%, unacceptable. Disabled, Housebound and Socially Deprived: The proposal makes the assumption that all users are highly mobile and they can always “access a library in another locality”. Not so. No mention in the proposal of disabled, housebound or socially deprived who cannot easily “access a library in another locality”
I’m fundamentally opposed to the “proposed” changes to Three Towns library opening hours and object. There is so much wrong with this. All charts and numbers and little common sense. Consultation: this is not a consultation. Consultation requires all key stakeholders to be involved in the decision-making process. Yet again this is “we’ve made these decisions”. Public what is your opinion? “Tick the box” Reduction of Hours: my understanding of the “proposal” was a reduction of 20% in opening hours. So why is it proposed to reduce Stevenston’s opening hours by 45% and increase Saltcoats hours by hours i.e.15%?
I believe a local library is essential to all age groups. It is not only a place to borrow books, it is also a social hub where people can meet and interact with others. It allows people to use computers if they don't have them at home and so many things now are going online. Please do not close our libraries.
NAC Budgeting Process: Late last year/early this year the last proposed change for NAC libraries was closure of 7 libraries. Subsequently funding was found during the budgeting process to stave off these closures during Fiscal Year 2026-27. So with a “challenging financial environment” and yet another nasty surprise for the public on libraries, the only conclusion that the public can come to is that public finances aren’t being managed properly, the budgeting process is flawed or spending is out of control, possibly both.
Value to the Community: We need to recognise the value that libraries bring to the local community. Stevenston is one of the most deprived areas of the country. We should be encouraging young people in Stevenston to use libraries as part of their personal development and to support them in preparing them for work e.g. CV preparation, internet access. It’s unreasonable to expect someone from the top end of Stevenston to travel to Saltcoats or Ardrossan to get the use of a computer. Staffing: I’d ask Library Service Managers to take a hard look at the role of “librarians”. They do so much more than manage NACs book catalogue, e.g. the work they do with children from local schools, book clubs etc., etc. We need to have more respect for librarians and cease having them work under the continual threat of hours reduction and redundancy. These are skilled people who could easily expand their roles rather than face reduction in their hours.
Managing Public Assets: libraries are public buildings not council buildings and as such the public have every right to expect these buildings to be open 6 days a week, worst case 5. Having a public asset, such as a library building, utilised less than half of the week as id proposed is totally unacceptable. Library Management: NAC need to stop using libraries as a soft target every time a “financial wind blows” bringing threat of closure or reduction of hours. I expect NAC managers and executives to be more positive and creative in how the library service is used and managed. More flexibility, use of new technology, etc, Library The public need to have more transparency on the alternatives, if any which were considered.
Wednesday & Saturday opening alternate weeks: This isn’t at all practical and hasn’t been thought through. How will the public know if the library is open on a particular Wednesday or Saturday? With this uncertainty the outcome is likely to be a significant reduction in footfall and borrowing rate on those days. As it all seems to be about numbers and charts, on the next review this will lead to proposed closure on these days. With these days being inoperable, this takes the reduction for Stevenston to 57%, unacceptable. Disabled, Housebound and Socially Deprived: The proposal makes the assumption that all users are highly mobile and they can always “access a library in another locality”. Not so. No mention in the proposal of disabled, housebound or socially deprived who cannot easily “access a library in another locality”
I’m fundamentally opposed to the “proposed” changes to Three Towns library opening hours and object. There is so much wrong with this. All charts and numbers and little common sense. Consultation: this is not a consultation. Consultation requires all key stakeholders to be involved in the decision-making process. Yet again this is “we’ve made these decisions”. Public what is your opinion? “Tick the box” Reduction of Hours: my understanding of the “proposal” was a reduction of 20% in opening hours. So why is it proposed to reduce Stevenston’s opening hours by 45% and increase Saltcoats hours by hours i.e.15%?
Very much so. I'm rarely available on proposed opening days
I work part-time and can only get to the library on certain days and times. My ability to access the library would be restricted
yes
I believe a local library is essential to all age groups. It is not only a place to borrow books, it is also a social hub where people can meet and interact with others. It allows people to use computers if they don't have them at home and so many things now are going online. Please do not close our libraries.
Restricting access time to both the library and the support of the librarians will always have an impact