Views on future of Aberdeenshire libraries sought

Insch Library is one of the facilities which has its future in doubt

Public views on future library services in Aberdeenshire are being sought amid closure plans.

The council expressed "regret" last month over how it announced the planned closures of 13 library buildings, after a community backlash about a lack of consultation.

Those which had been announced as under threat were in Balmedie, Boddam, Cairnbulg, Cruden Bay, Insch, Inverbervie, Kintore, Macduff, New Pitsligo, Newmachar, Newtonhill, Rosehearty and Strichen.

Options including providing services in other local buildings are being explored, and a series of community meetings are to be held.

Live Life Aberdeenshire, which delivers services for the council, is asking residents to share their thoughts.

The sessions are being delivered in two phases, with the first events taking place this month in the Cairnbulg, Kintore, Newmachar, Insch, Boddam, Rosehearty, and Macduff libraries.

Further events will take place in January at the New Pitsligo, Inverbervie, Newtonhill, Strichen, Cruden Bay and Balmedie libraries.

Head of communities, partnerships and wellbeing, Avril Nicol, said: "Our aim through these discussions is to provide reassurance that our intention is to continue to provide an element of face-to-face contact with our communities in the future, albeit this might be in a different location or delivered in a different way."

Feedback can also be shared with Live Life Aberdeenshire directly at [e-mail]