Hansard

Over the past couple of centuries, libraries have evolved to become important institutions at the heart of communities across Scotland and the United Kingdom. Libraries’ importance can never be underestimated and they should not be evaluated as being costly or ineffective. They have provided the working class with the tools to self-educate, enhance its knowledge and improve opportunities for gainful employment.

In my area, where child poverty is at 27 per cent, the previous Renfrewshire administration closed Gallowhill community library despite a wall of opposition. The administration brandished the closure as being cost effective, but at what cost was that to the children in the area who needed the tools and opportunities that would give them hope in the future? The closure of the library has also been a great loss to the area’s older residents, many of whom have been avid readers and users of library services all their lives. However, we know that in times of austerity libraries are often the first things to be axed.

The bill is welcome in respect of reform of the National Library of Scotland, but what is unwelcome—as has been said—is the centralisation of powers to the relevant Scottish minister. With the previous bill being almost 90 years old, it was right to produce a new bill to repeal the National Library of Scotland Act 1925. After almost a century of social and economic advances, the new bill should enable the NLS to adapt to modern times, as it has been doing over the past few years with the use of new technologies and digital resources.

The reduction in the size of the NLS board of trustees is a must and was even backed by the NLS in its response to the consultation. The idea of reforming its governance was raised by the last Labour Executive in 2006, so I am glad to see that it has finally come to fruition. Yet, that reduction cannot be effective when the power of ministerial direction is implemented, no matter how general or specific that power is. The independence of the NLS board must not be compromised by the interference of a Scottish minister.

As the NLS stated in its consultation response, it is appropriate for ministers to indicate how public funding is used, especially during austerity, as long as a minister does not impede curatorial independence. As Neil Findlay has pointed out, curatorial independence must be maintained at all times, especially given the record of the current Scottish Government. However, like my colleagues on the Labour benches, I am concerned by centralisation—irrespective of who is in power. The NLS has a prominent role in promoting and preserving our national culture and heritage, but I fear that if powers are given to Scottish ministers in the present Government, they will be tested to promote the nationalistic views of the First Minister and his bandwagon.

We cannot stress enough the importance of libraries, whether local or national, nor can we allow their freedom and independence to be damaged by Government interference.

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