David Walliams knows a thing or two about libraries.
With more than 50 million copies of his books sold worldwide, he won’t be bothered if kids prefer to read his latest release “The Blunders” – or any of their old favourites – for free at their local branch.
But for hundreds of young people across Aberdeen, that isn’t as simple as it sounds.
At the urging of a local schoolgirl, Mr Walliams has taken note of a string of library closures around the city and lent his voice to try and save them.
In March, Aberdeen City Council shut six local libraries – in Cornhill, Cults, Ferryhill, Kaimhill, Northfield and Woodside – some of which serve the city's most deprived neighbourhoods.
Part of a controversial set of budget cuts aimed at carving into a £47 million deficit, the decision did not go down well with residents.
Read more: Aberdeen library closure campaigners 'consider legal action'
After a grassroots campaign to save the libraries, legal petitions and street protests, the council opened a public consultation this autumn and promised to reconsider the closures at their December meeting.
With another key decision looming, one of the libraries’ advocates felt the campaign needed a little extra star power.
Enter Charlotte Jolly, 10, from Ferryhill.
Since she learned that her beloved Ferryhill Library was on the chopping block in the spring, Charlotte has been hard at work: Gathering signatures on a petition at her school; submitting letters to councillors; speaking on television and in local newspapers.
Charlotte has been attending Ferryhill Library since her Bookbug years, and Mr Walliams’s books are longtime favourites.
When Mr Walliams announced a book signing event at Waterstones in Aberdeen, Charlotte’s parents took her along as a special treat.
But Charlotte had more than a meet-and-greet in mind.
When she made it to the front of the queue, she presented Mr Walliams with a handwritten letter explaining her cause and her love of books.
And asking him to join her.
She said: “I chose to write to him because he has a really big following.
“Hopefully more and more people might realise that it’s closed and do something to help.
“We’re fighting so that every child has the right to read books as close as possible to home and so that they can socialize more.”
“He sounded like he was really passionate about what I was doing. It was really encouraging.
“I’m really happy that people are actually noticing how bad it is that they’re closing all the libraries.”
Ross Jolly said that he has been proud to watch his daughter – whom he referred to as “Ferryhill’s Greta Thunberg” – stand up for what she believes in.
Although Charlotte’s arrest record is much thinner than the Swedish climate activist’s, Mr Jolly feels her efforts are no less inspiring.
“We’re really so proud of her, and it’s done her confidence a lot of good.”
But her parents aren’t the only ones Charlotte has impressed.
Following their meeting in Aberdeen, Mr Walliams remembered her letter and her fight. Visits to the library when he was Charlotte’s age are what started him on the path to becoming a writer, he said.
Every child should be given the same opportunity, he added.
“Libraries are not a luxury, they are important for people and their communities.
"I hope with all my heart that the Aberdeen libraries re-open.
“It would be my pleasure to help stock the children’s section and I would be delighted to be there at the re-opening ceremony."
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