Labour can redeem itself

Sir, - The proposal to keep Glenwood library in the west of Glenrothes open in some form will be warmly welcomed by the community in that part of the town (September 22).

As usual, however, the devil will be in the detail of the agreement struck by the local residents’ groups and Fife Cultural Trust on the way forward. Most people will be quite happy if they can go in, borrow a book, use a computer and get general queries answered.

Some serious questions will have to be asked about whether professional staff will be on hand to make sure this happens and keep systems up to date. Equally, the security of the staff who remain and the volunteers who help them will have to be given high priority. A vigorous public information exercise will need to be carried out to show how the character of the library will change if more and more community groups are to be given access to it.

This has not been the most edifying spectacle in the history of Fife Council and the local cultural trust. The savings proposed for the closure of Glenwood library are only a fraction of what the local authority and trust have spent on a new office in the north of Kirkcaldy and an archive system.

Labour, in particular, has paid a heavy political price for its indifference to the needs of people in the west of Glenrothes. It has the chance to redeem itself now by working with the local groups to make sure the new venture is a success.

Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.

Glenwood Library.