About Cults Library Trust

Who We Are

Cults Library Trust is a registered charity dedicated to reopening Cults Library and transforming it into a thriving community hub. Established in response to the library’s closure, the trust is driven by a passionate team of local residents who believe in the power of libraries to educate, connect, and inspire communities.

Through the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, we have submitted an application for a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) to take ownership of the former library building. Our goal is to restore the library and create a space that serves the people of Cults, Bieldside, Milltimber, and Lower Deeside for generations to come.

Our Mission

At Cults Library Trust, our mission is simple:
✅ Reopen Cults Library as a community-run facility.
✅ Create a welcoming space where people of all ages can access books, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities.
✅ Build a vibrant community hub, hosting activities, events, and local services that bring people together.
✅ Ensure long-term sustainability by developing funding streams and partnerships to keep the library running for years to come.

We believe that libraries are more than just buildings filled with books—they are places that foster learning, creativity, and community spirit.

Our Vision

Our vision for Cults Library Trust is built around three key pillars:

📚 Library

Our primary goal is to restore Cults Library as a fully functioning library, providing free access to books, digital resources, and study spaces. We want to encourage a love of reading across all age groups and support literacy in the community.

👥 Community

The library will serve as a multi-purpose community hub, offering events, workshops, and meeting spaces for local groups. From book clubs to wellbeing sessions, we aim to create a welcoming space for everyone.

🎓 Education

We will provide learning and development opportunities, including homework clubs, digital literacy support, and lifelong learning courses. By working with local schools and organizations, we hope to make the library a center for education and personal growth.

Our Plan: The Next Chapter

Our roadmap for reopening the library is outlined in “The Next Chapter”, our detailed library plan. This document sets out:
📌 How we will fund and operate the library.
📌 Our plans for community engagement and partnerships.
📌 Steps for maintaining the library’s long-term sustainability.

We are committed to making the library financially self-sufficient, with income generated through room hire, sponsorship, and community donations.

Our Team

Cults Library Trust is led by a dedicated team of trustees with experience in community development, governance, finance, law, and public service. Our team includes:

• David Laing (Chairperson) 

• Cllr Marie Boulton (Vice-Chair) 

• James Shearer – (Finance) 

• Rachel Soplantila – (Wellbeing)

• Tony Dawson – (Legal)

Together, we are working to bring Cults Library back to life, ensuring it remains at the heart of the community.

How You Can Support Us

This is a community-driven project, and we need your help to make it happen. There are several ways you can get involved:

🤝 Become a Member – Membership is free and helps us demonstrate public support to funders.
💰 Donate – Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to reopening.
🙌 Volunteer – Whether it’s helping with events, fundraising, or library services, your time and skills can make a huge difference.
🏢 Sponsor or Partner with Us – Businesses and organisations can support the project through sponsorship and partnerships.

📢 Join us on this journey to bring Cults Library back!

For more information, get in touch at cultslibrary@gmail.com or follow us on social media for updates.