A PROTEST has been arranged in Longniddry this weekend to campaign against temporary reduced hours at the library. 

Longniddry Library, located on Church Way, was impacted by recent cuts to services announced by East Lothian Council last week. 

READ MORE: Five East Lothian libraries have their hours slashed

Over the winter period, it will now only be open on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and 2-6pm, as well as alternating Saturdays, 10am-1pm.

Earlier this week, a post was shared on Facebook groups for Longniddry residents by Samantha Gray, who is leading the organisation of the event. 

The post asks those who want to share their objection to the cuts to join a gathering on Saturday at noon in front of the library, with the aim of showing “how much our library means to us”. 

She said: "People young and old can show their support for the local library services by coming along at 12pm on Saturday, meeting outside to make a stand and hope for a change in the council's decision to reduce the hours of not only Longniddry Library but around East Lothian.

Samantha's daughter Alex, seven, made a poster for the protest "We feel this change may lead to more permanent closures and the impact to the communities' physical and mental wellbeing being a greater detriment to the community and local council services.

"The Longniddry community have supported this well so far and the local businesses have been behind this in sharing in their businesses too."

Councillor Lachlan Bruce, ward member for Preston Seton Gosford – which includes Longniddry – has given his “full support” to the gathering.

READ MORE: Conservatives hit out at drop in library opening hours

He told the Courier: “I think it's a good opportunity for people to show the strength of feeling in Longniddry. 

“I've had a lot of people contact me, and Craig Hoy [South Scotland MSP] as well, very unhappy about these further reductions.

Councillor Lachlan Bruce and South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy outside Longniddry's library “Obviously I want to see them overturned. This is a service which is worth protecting.

“Between Longniddry and Port Seton, I must have had over 100 people get in contact with me about the libraries now.”

Mr Bruce also raised concerns about which days were being lost, with a popular Friday Lego club for children losing its slot as a result of the changes. 

He added: “As far as I’m aware from what people have been telling me, it's the busiest day in the library, particularly for young children who we want to be getting into these spaces.

“I even question whether they've thought through what hours each library should have in the week.

“I just think it's detrimental to the wider community.”

Longniddry Community Council has been vocal in its opposition to the cuts and has asked residents to write to their ward councillors to object.

When the cuts were announced, an East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “These temporary winter opening hours in our smaller community libraries are not a decision we have taken lightly but they are part of an agreed strategy included in this year’s budget mitigations to address the shortfall in our funding.

“Temporary opening hours for the winter period should greatly reduce the need for last-minute closures and provide more consistent opening hours for customers at our smaller branches during this time."