>> PREVIOUS EVENTS <<

"Off The Shelf" Evening Events - Westerton Library
- (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"

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.

Link to Minutes of EDLCs 31 Oct 2018 Board Meeting here.

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.

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!

• https://www.edlc.co.uk/webform/comments-feedback-and-suggestions

Do you have any particular expertise, skills or contacts that might help with the campaign?   Every little helps!

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 

There are more links to articles and information on  our Links Page