CAMPAIGNERS have warned councillors that closing Dreghorn Library would rip the heart out of the community.
The library is one of six in North Ayrshire which have been earmarked for potential closure - alongside Skelmorlie, Fairlie, Dalry, Beith and Saltcoats - as the council faces a massive budget deficit.
Following a public consultation, councillors will vote on the proposals at their budget meeting on February 24.
A petition against the Dreghorn closure has already attracted more than 700 signatures.
Petition spokeswoman Maxine Blane and her dad Colin, representing user group the ‘Nutty Knitters’, appeared before Thursday’s North Ayrshire Council meeting to make their case for saving the vital facility.
Maxine said: “Libraries are essential hubs for our communities. Dreghorn Library is the social centre of the village for young and old and everyone in between.
“It provides a warm welcoming meeting place for friends, families, knitting groups and other groups, including book bugs and story time and there is a chance for children to engage with reading and literacy and gives young mums, grandparents and carers a great opportunity to combat loneliness and benefit their mental health.
“The library sits just one street over from the most deprived part of Dreghorn and also covers Bourtreehill and Springside, which are two of the most deprived parts of Irvine, according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Depreciation.
“As the cost of energy continues to rise alongside the continuing cost of living crisis the library remains a warm safe space for those who need it most.
"It is invaluable for older people on a fixed income who are facing cuts like TV licence and winter fuel allowance. It serves a population of 10,000 and people also travel from Drybridge and Dundonald to use the library.
“If the proposed libraries close, the nearest one would be Irvine town centre which means people from Springside would have to travel there and people with mobility issues would struggle to get to it.
"We also have a knitting group and a book club and they provide a lifeline and support for village residents who otherwise would not see any people all week.
"Losing Dreghorn Library would be devastating to some of the most vulnerable people in the village as well as the wider area.”
Colin added: “The proposed closure of the library will have a major impact on Dreghorn and the surrounding community. If all the library closures go ahead this would increase the average of one library for every 15,000 people.
"Dreghorn is the oldest continuously inhabited village in Britain and as such has the oldest community spirit and which deserves to keep the heart of the community which is its library."
Cllr John Sweeney told the meeting that the library was a “vital part of the community”.
Rhonda Leith, head of North Ayrshire Council's Connected Communities, said: “An engagement exercise regarding the future budget was carried out in late 2024.
"The proposal will involve the closure of the following six branch libraries – Skelmorlie, Fairlie, Dalry, Beith, Saltcoats and Dreghorn.
"The engagement exercise received over 4,000 responses in total, and 38 conversations regarding the proposals were held with different community groups.
"The feedback is currently being analysed. No decisions have been made regarding any budget savings for the 2025/26 year and the results of the engagement will help inform any proposals which will be carried forward.”
It was agreed to accept the petition and send the views of the campaigners on to council cabinet as part of the budget-setting process.
Share