Threatened Closure of Newtongrange and Gorebridge Libraries

That the Parliament notes with considerable concern the threatened closure of the libraries at Newtongrange and Gorebridge by Midlothian Council; notes that both libraries, as well as providing modern library services including IT suites, host many local groups, including at Newtongrange Library, which hosts a reminiscence group, Village Voices, a Job Club providing support and advice on CVs and other employment matters, Book Bug for new parents and carers, a Lego club, Peep, a class for mothers and toddlers, among many others; understands that Newtongrange Library is also a registered Third Party Reporting Centre and Keep Safe Building; notes that Gorebridge Library hosts computer classes, a job club, a Citizens Advice Bureau, a knitting group and, for children, Bookbug sessions, a study club, craft and Lego clubs and many more, which, like Newtongrange Library, provides all of these facilities free of charge, and considers that, as with libraries throughout Scotland, these facilities are crucial and that any such closure would be a retrograde step and highly detrimental to local communities and their residents.