Community claims council ignored bid for Carnegie library

A community group was formed in a bid to take over Jedburgh's former library

A community group claims its bid to take over a historic library is being ignored by the local council.

The 125-year-old Carnegie Library in Jedburgh was closed by Scottish Borders Council during the Covid pandemic.

Despite talks taking place over a community asset transfer, the B-listed building has been put up for sale on the open market for offers over £140,000.

Scottish Borders Council said its officers were continuing to engage with everyone who has an interest in the property.

The old library still contains shelves of books which were left when the council closed the building in 2020

Jedburgh was provided with two libraries by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

The Dunfermline-born industrialist, who made his vast fortune in America, officially opened the original library on the town's High Street in 1894.

However, the building was not big enough to meet the demand for borrowing books - leading to a new library being commissioned a short distance away on Castlegate.

Carnegie returned to Jedburgh on 24 May 1900 to witness the opening of the larger Sir George Washington Browne-designed facility, which could hold 12,000 books.

The eye-catching building features the engraved inscription "Let There be Light" above the entrance.

The larger library was one of about 80 buildings Scottish Borders Council decided to dispose of as part of cuts started in March 2024 to help it save money and reduce its carbon footprint.

The local authority also agreed to consult with communities on the future of properties considered to have a "significant civic presence" and explore the potential of transferring the buildings into community ownership.

A council report, seen by BBC Scotland News, said community groups would be given six months to provide additional information after submitting a valid request to take over a property.

But community group Jedburgh Carnegie Building said it did not believe this process had been followed properly in relation to the Carnegie Library.

Since April, when the library was put up for sale, it has gathered more than 600 signatures for a petition calling on Scottish Borders Council to uphold its commitment to a community asset transfer.

Local bookstore owner Dean Freeman has been leading the campaign for the former library to be transferred to the community

Bookshop owner Dean Freeman is leading the campaign for the community to take control of the building.

He said: "We were initially told by the council that a community asset transfer could be undertaken.

"However, they are now telling us that it is no longer an option and that we will have to be part of the competitive process.

"No reasons have been given and it's as if they are now ignoring us.

"We think this is wrong - the town is rightly proud of its rich heritage and selling off this building will achieve nothing."

Jenni Sneddon, from the Jedburgh Carnegie Building group, hopes the library can be kept for community use

Jenni Sneddon, another member of Jedburgh Carnegie Building, said there were concerns about the library's future.

She said: "It would be such a shame if it was lost to a private developer.

"The Carnegie Library is such a lovely building - there's so much light inside with the beautiful skylight. It is a versatile space and we have lots of ideas for using it as an arts venue amongst other things.

"We are not being too prescriptive about what we would do with the building as it would be up to the community to tell us what they would like."

Musician James Wyness supports community ownership of the property

Musician James Wyness supports the group's aims.

He said: "I want Scottish Borders Council to do the right thing and honour their original pledge to give favour to a community asset transfer.

"We have a lot of people backing us - people who want a community space - and I would ask the council to do the right thing.

"Our swimming pool's already been closed, our town hall is under threat of closure, there's going to be nothing left for the community."

'Broader strategy'

Scottish Borders Council said the former library building was put on the market following a thorough evaluation of all available options.

A spokesperson said: "While a community asset transfer was initially the preferred route, it is not the sole path being explored.

"The market listing forms part of a broader strategy to assess all viable opportunities for the building's future use, including potential community-led proposals."

They added: "We remain committed to keeping all stakeholders, including the local community, informed throughout this process.

"We recognise the building's significance to the Jedburgh community and are working to identify a solution that balances heritage preservation with sustainable, practical use."