Dozens of libraries have closed across Scotland over the last decade, shock figures show.
A total of 83 community facilities shut their doors permanently in the period covering 2009 to 2020.
There are now fears the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could force cash-strapped councils to close even more cultural facilities.
Official figures show the number of libraries nationwide has dropped from 627 to 544 despite total visitor numbers increasing over the last decade.
COSLA, which represents the interests of councils, has previously warned that local authorities are struggling to invest in cultural services due to funding from central government being increasingly ringfenced.
MSPs are now calling on SNP ministers to work with local authorities to ensure more libraries are saved.
Residents in three Glasgow communities recently fought succesful campaigns to save their local branches.
Glasgow Life - which manages leisure facilities on behalf of the council - had originally earmarked much-loved buildings in Maryhill, Whiteinch and Cathcart for closure.
The organisation has faced a cash crisis since the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of its facilities in 2020.
The three branches have since reopened after the Scottish Government awarded £1.25 million to 23 libraries across the country.
The number of nationwide closures was uncovered in a written parliamentary question made by the Scottish Conservatives.
Miles Briggs, the party's local government spokesman, said: "The demand for public libraries has grown over the past 10 years, yet successive SNP cuts have led to one in eight of them shutting their doors.
"Years of underfunding and increased ring-fencing from the SNP have eroded the ability of councils to deliver the essential local services their communities really need.
"Libraries are not just a place to borrow books, they are at the heart of local communities, and make a real difference to the daily lives of millions of Scots.
"Free, high-quality public libraries are key to addressing so many of Scotland’s most pressing challenges – from the ever-widening attainment gap, to Scotland’s growing digital skills needs, to our cultural recovery from the pandemic.
"The demand for libraries is there, now we need the funding. If the SNP really want to support our local communities to recover from the pandemic, they must urgently work with councils to reverse this worrying trend and restore Scotland’s public libraries."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Public library services are the responsibility of local authorities who have a statutory duty to ensure that there is adequate provision for their residents.
"The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role libraries play in our communities and as part of our recovery, and as such we have protected libraries better than any other UK nation, all of which have seen more libraries close than Scotland.
"The 2022-23 Local Government settlement of £12.6bn is both fair and affordable, representing an increase 8.9% in cash terms or 6.1% in real terms compared with 2021-22, despite the pandemic exerting unprecedented pressures on our budget.
"Funding is not the only metric – the Improvement Service’s Local Government Benchmarking Framework Report shows that numbers of library visits have increased by 41% between 2010-11 to 2019-20.
"There is a need, however, to ensure our library sector fully recovers from the pandemic, which is why the Scottish Government has invested £1.25 million in our Public Library COVID Relief Fund - supporting 23 projects around the country to re-connect communities with their libraries.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
