Petition wants Ayr library toilet re-opened

Jul 16 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A PETITION with more than 1500 signatures seeks the reopening of a public toilet in Ayr’s Carnegie Library.

Councillor Ian Douglas accepted the petition from community campaigner Sarah Falconer.

And he admitted: “We as a council should be able to find a solution that will be acceptable to the genuine library user.”

Councillor Douglas praised Ms Falconer’s effort in collecting so many signatures in a short period of time.

He said: “I’m very impressed. Sarah is doing sterling work for the community. We need more people like her.”

Ms Falconer is upset that genuine library users can’t get access to a loo in one of Scotland’s biggest libraries.

But South Ayrshire Council point to ‘illegal activities’ going on. Staff were said to be under increasing threat from this situation, and as a result police advised closure.

But Ms Falconer said: “It shouldn’t be beyond the discretion of staff to identify genuine library users and provide a key to the loo, as used to happen.”

Councillor Douglas agreed, saying: “It comes down to management, and the council should be doing all it can to enable this to happen.”

Councillor Douglas said he will pass the petitions on to Councillor Margaret Toner, deputy council leader, whose responsibilities include libraries.

Meanwhile, Ms Falconer has won a pledge from the council on another Ayr library, at Forehill.

Residents fear it could be relocated into the new-look school. But Councillor Douglas said: “We will have a full, open and genuine consultation on this. We are aware of local pressure not to lose the library.”