TRAINSPOTTING author Irvine Welsh is urging Scotland’s councils to stop library cuts ahead of the spring elections.
The Chicago-based writer credits the local service in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, with sparking his literary career. Now he has joined a campaign aimed at stopping the cuts decimating the country’s library services.
Set to launch next month, the campaign will be spearheaded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS). The professional body unites librarians across the country and is fighting to safeguard public access to literature and other free learning resources. The Libraries Matter drive will highlight the benefits and value that libraries deliver and show why public and school libraries matter so much.
It is hoped that the initiative will influence the policies of incoming administrations following the May 4 vote.
Welsh, who was in Edinburgh for the world premiere of the Trainspotting sequel T2 last weekend, has joined the push.
He said: “I grew up in a scheme where every house and street pretty much looked the same.
“As a kid it was essential to have your imagination fuelled by a psychic portal into different worlds. That was my library in Muirhouse. That was why I became a writer and why camera crews from all over the world and Hollywood film stars and executives descended on my home town for the premiere of the film of my book.”
The campaign will also ask candidates standing in the local government elections to invest in public libraries, keep them open and use professional staff, if elected.
Catherine Kearney, director of CILIPS, said: “CILIPS welcomes the support for our campaign from Irvine Welsh as Scotland’s local authority elections approach. Now is the time to speak out and tell local councillors and government why libraries matter to each and every one of us.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here