Supporters of Westerton Library
Supporters of Westerton Library
The Supporters of Westerton Library (SWeL) is a formally constituted group of local residents, volunteering their time to support our local library, in Westerton - East Dunbartonshire. Our aims are to encourage and support use of this important, inclusive local amenity - and to provide help in organizing events, talks, fund-raising and other activities which are directed to support the use and continued presence of the Library - for the positive benefit of all ages and sectors of the Community.
Westerton Library Opening Hours
Revised Opening Hours:
- Monday -1pm to 4.30pm & 5pm to 8pm
- Tuesday -10am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 5.00pm
- Wednesday -10am to 8pm *DURING BEARSDEN LIBRARY WORKS*
- Thursday -10am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 5.00pm
- Friday -10am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 5.00pm
- Saturday - Closed
- Sunday - Closed
Up to date list of all library opening hours at : https://www.edlc.co.uk/libraries/opening-hours
>> PREVIOUS EVENTS <<
"Off The Shelf" Evening Events - Westerton Library
- (previously) Mondays 6.30pm-7.30pm
- (previously) Mondays 6.30pm-7.30pm
In 2019, the group held a popular series of Talks by Local Westerton People - in Westerton Library.
FREE (but limited number) of Tickets were available to pick up at Westerton Library - or people could just turn up on the night.
Once current government restrictions are lifted, more details of resumption of events, etc will be published here. Stay Safe, everyone.
Previous Autumn Events - @ Westerton Library
Fri 6th September, Fri 20th September 2019 - 15:15-16:15 Chatterbooks @ Westerton Library - Enjoy fun activities, lively chat and lots of fantastic books at this fortnightly reading club for children aged 7 - 11 - Ticketed event - booking page
- Ticketed event - EDLC's booking page here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/childrens-author-visit-westerton-library-tickets-65784710841
Bookbug Sessions at Westerton Library!
3rd May until 27th September 2019 - Bookbug Toddler (0-36m) - Weekly on a Friday 10:15 - 10:45am
These sessions are run by EDLC - see the events page for booking details.
Exhibitions and past talks @ Westerton Library
Autumn 2019: "75 Years of Guiding in Westerton"
Summer/Autumn 2019: "The Lovers" - An Exhibition by international photographer Lauren Fleishman. American photographer Lauren Fleishman combines her colour images with interviews, where couples together for over five decades talk about their love and relationships.
Past "Off The Shelf" Events have included:
25th March 2019 - "The Life of Reilly" - A photographic Journey by photographer Alex Reilly.
1st April 2019 - "The Spanish Influenza Pandemic in Scotland" - by James Kennedy.
8th April 2019 - "The Story of the GlenLee: Glasgow's Tall Ship" - by Alex Anderson
15th April 2019 - "Geologic Notes" - by visual artist Ilana Halpern
13th May 2019 - "Romans were here" - Peter McCormack, Museums Development Officer
20th May 2019 – "History of Forth and Clyde Canal" - Thomas Lawton, Forth and Clyde Society
3rd June 2019 – "Flora MacDonald and the Jacobites" - Barbara Graham, 1745 Society. (There will be a collection of donations for Marie Curie)
10th June 2019 – "Badger River" - The Story of the River Clyde Badgers - John Darbyshire and Lawrie Tierney
17th June 2019 - "Murder Most Foul" - a talk by M.A.Duffy on writing a crime novel.
16th Sept 2019 - Brian Watson - "A potted history of Wee - The Many (unexpected) uses of urine".
23rd Sept 2019 - Ruth Dunster - "Extinction Rebellion - a Q&A"
7th Oct 2019 - Niall McCumesty - "North Korea in a Kilt - and other adventures behind the Iron Curtain"
21st Oct 2019 - Allan Martin - "The Peat Dead - inspiration behind the police procedural novel"
4th Nov 2019 - Sue Baxendale - "The history and development of the French Horn"
11th Nov 2019 - Alex Anderson - "Lord Kelvin: some maritime connections"
18th Nov 2019 - Janice Miller, Archivist, East Dunbartonshire - "Archives for Local History, with focus on Westerton/Bearsden"
25th Nov 2019 - Paula Andrews, writer - "Unfolding a Story"
2nd Dec 2019 - Robert Kennedy - "The Story of Forest Hills"
NEXT MEETING of SWeL (Supporters of Westerton Library) Group:
Committee meeting : Date tbc
Please get involved. Help Use, and help Save our wonderful Library!
The Threat of Closure of our Library
In early November 2018, it was revealed that there was a proposal by EDLC to close Westerton Library. EDLC (East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust) is a council-owned organisation, which operates cultural services including libraries. Its board voted to close three village libraries (Westerton, Lenzie and Milton of Campsie) as part of cost-saving efforts across the East Dunbartonshire authority area.
Why should we keep the Library?
Some would argue that in these days of internet-downloads, e-readers and the like, libraries have less relevance. This couldn't be further from the truth:
The Library is a necessary resource for the many disabled, elderly and low-income people who are socially and digitally marginalized, struggling to access increasingly online essential services. (Was ~20% of the population in 2016).
Where are local children going to go to find new books?
Where will their parents take them when it’s cold, dark and wet in winter and the TV’s been on too much?
Where will local toddlers go for story time sessions?
Where will local teenagers go to do their homework after school?
Where could you go to print important forms, documents or travel papers from internet/computer, if you don't have printer - or yours is broken?
What about computers? For people who don’t have easy access to a computer, tablet, smartphone or the internet at home, libraries are a place where you can read the news, apply for a job and do online banking. These are the hardest hit by closure.
Reading is important. A love of books sets children up for life. Libraries are crucial as a gateway to the world of fiction, imagination and fostering a love of learning, as well as a place where kids, adults and the elderly can go to get expert librarian help and guidance to find answers to questions, look things up on the internet and reference books, and discover new interests.
If you feel strongly about this issue - please write to all your local Councillors
(for Councillors and others' email addresses see links below)
The Library is an essential amenity for residents of Westerton and a key local Community focal point.
Active travel routes between Westerton /Colquhoun and the Bearsden "hub" were not included in the EDC active travel survey nor strategy. Bearsden can't be described as a "hub" if the spokes are missing!
Boclair students just had a 4 month cut in library services due to an unfilled librarian post. Our children are already suffering educationally from lack of Library support in other areas, and closure may disadvantage other vulnerable groups.
Many experts agree that local public Libraries tackle social isolation and support mental health and well-being. Libraries are vital to improving literacy, and make an important contribution to reducing inequality in the community.
EDLC's case of low footfall is partly due to fact that Westerton Library's opening hours have diminished so much, that many people, in particular working adults and parents have little opportunity or time to visit. Footfall could be increased a lot, with support and ideas from the community. Give you feedback to EDLC via the links below.
If you missed the online survey, and wish to give further feedback, please feel free to use this form
What can I do to help?
Firstly, let your friends, neighbours, and others be aware of these plans before it's too late. Get the word out!
Secondly, JOIN the Library, if you haven't already! Borrow some books. You might even discover some new authors or new interests. Use it and support it! It's simple to join - here's info on how to: https://www.edlc.co.uk/libraries/how-join
Thirdly, email/write to all of your East Dunbartonshire Councillors. These are the ones which will vote on proposal decision by the full Council at a meeting.
State your concerns and ask your Councillors to represent you and vote against a closure.
Local Councillors (East Dunbartonshire Council - Ward 3 - Bearsden South):
Councillor Ian Gallacher (SNP) - email ian.gallacher@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Councillor Vaughan Moody (Lib Dem) - email vaughan.moody@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Councillor Andrew Polson (Con) - email andrew.polson@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Write to your local MSPs and MP too!
MSP: (constituency) Rona Mackay (SNP) - email Rona.Mackay.msp@parliament.scot
MP: (UK Parliament) Amy Callaghan (SNP) - email amy.callaghan.mp@parliament.uk
MSPs: (West Scotland Regional List)
Neil.Bibby.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Labour)
Jamie.Greene.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Conservative)
Ross.Greer.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Green Party)
Katy.Clark.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Labour)
Russell.Findlay.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Conservative)
Pam.Gosal.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Conservative)
Paul.O'Kane.msp@parliament.scot (Scottish Labour)
Fourthly, look to get involved to help your local support group. They are on social media, such as Facebook - use this link, or search for "Supporters of Westerton Library". Contribute your views and thoughts on what we can do to secure the library's future. Alternatively, Campaign Group can be reached at: savewestertonlibrary@googlegroups.com
EDLC themselves invite comments, feedback and suggestions on their own site at this page. Please give them your views!
Do you have any particular expertise, skills or contacts that might help with the campaign? Every little helps!
Please help support your local Library!
JOIN (library and supporters)
SAVE (write to all your Councillors, preferably before next council meet on Dec 20th). State your concerns and ask your Councillors to represent you and vote against a closure.
IMPROVE (use supporters Facebook, give library feedback to say what would make the library work for you).
Your support will make the difference!
Would recommend having a look at the CILIPS site. CILIPS are an organisation that represent Scotland's library and information professionals.
In particular, worth reading about the #LibrariesMatter campaign: https://www.cilips.org.uk/advocacy-campaigns/campaigns/libraries-matter/
Westerton Library - Online Survey (November/December 2018) - Detailed Results - http://bit.ly/SWeLsurveyDec2018
If you wish to contact the Westerton Library Supporters Group by email, the address is: savewestertonlibrary@westertonvillage.org.uk
We have a committee of 14 people. The first committee meeting was on 25th February at the library at 6.30pm. We will be holding regular meetings, and we aim to address a number of actions that came out of the public meeting and keep you posted on our progress. All of the Community are welcome to come along and contribute support, and make your views known.
