Save our mobile library service
March 2, 2010 10:31 AM
Jo has highlighted the case of one 89-year-old Milngavie resident who is strongly opposing the withdrawal of mobile library services in East Dunbartonshire.
Jo and Alistair Carmichael MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Scotland, paid a visit to Eileen Hardie of Milngavie, to hear her concerns over the Council's decision to withdraw mobile library services in East Dunbartonshire.
Ms Hardie uses the mobile library service on a regular basis, and says it is "invaluable". She described the Council's decision to axe the service in its recent budget as showing "appalling insensitivity to the needs of the elderly, infirm and housebound, young and old."
Commenting, Eileen Hardie said:
"I am an 89-year-old lady who has used this service for the past few years. I am increasingly frail, have deteriorating eyesight and am unable to walk any distance. The mobile library has been invaluable.
"The mobile library van which comes to me is less than one year old and is on a seven year lease. To withdraw the library while still making payments on the leasing contract makes no economic sense whatsoever.
"The withdrawal of the mobile library service could only have been taken by someone who has no interest in, or understanding of, the pleasure gained from books - both printed and audio. The elderly and housebound in our society are among the most vulnerable and to deprive them of a facility which adds immeasurably to their quality of life is reprehensible and quite unacceptable."
Commenting, Jo said:
"Eileen Hardie's story illustrates just how important services like the mobile library are to people in East Dunbartonshire, particularly the elderly and disabled, and I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way.
"It is well understood that the Council has been forced to make cuts to its spending, but targeting those cuts at services which give so much to vulnerable people for relatively little cost make no sense, and suggests a total lack of understanding of what really matters to people."
Commenting, Alistair Carmichael said:
"This was the first visit that I have made to East Dunbartonshire for some years. I was shocked to learn that the Council is now targeting its savings on those who will find alternative provision most difficult to come by. I was impressed by the level of support that I encountered for Jo's campaign for a re-think by the Council."
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