CAMPAIGNERS from across Scotland have descended on the Scottish Parliament to demand an end to library cuts.

The services have come under increasing pressure over the last decade as councils scramble to balance their budgets, prompting Green MSP Mark Ruskell to take a motion to Holyrood calling on the “Scottish government to help protect the future of Scotland’s libraries.”

Rallying outside ahead of the debate on Wednesday, Laura Anne Collier of Friends of Scotland’s Libraries said: “Campaigners from across the country have come together in solidarity to call for a serious national conversation about the vital role libraries play in the future of communities.

“We want to see Scotland’s libraries thrive rather than simply fight for survival.”

Moving his motion, Mr Ruskell told MSPs: “This is the time to connect with grassroots communities and library professionals, and act to protect the future.

“Libraries must remain the beating heart of our communities.”

Backing the call, socialist MSP Richard Leonard said: “Libraries matter. They represent a world beyond the market, a safe, equal, democratic, free space not run for profit, but enlightenment.”

On behalf of the SNP government, Ivan McKee responded: “We urge local authorities to consider any decisions around public libraries extremely carefully.”