The Scottish Government Public Library Covid Recovery Fund grant of £448,068 means every Glasgow Library now has a projected reopening date.

The following libraries will reopen by the end of January: the Couper Institute; Library at GoMA; Maryhill Library and Whiteinch Library. Maryhill, Whiteinch and Couper libraries are historic buildings which will require substantial capital works in the future.

The building Barmulloch Library is in is being used as a vaccination centre until 31 January 2022 and the library will re-open at the end of this agreement. If the vaccination centre remains after 31 January, Glasgow Life will work to make the adaptations required to re-open the library.

Additionally, Shettleston Library, which is currently closed for essential maintenance works, will reopen in early December.

Elder Park and Woodside Libraries are also planned to reopen in 2022 following significant investment and refurbishment.

The Scottish Government Public Library Covid Recovery Fund grant will also enable Glasgow Life to increase opening hours to pre-Covid levels in all reopened libraries by the end of January.

Council leader Susan Aitken said:

We have always understood how important libraries are in their communities – and that is reflected in the financial guarantee the council extended to Glasgow Life to ensure more of these valued venues were able to open sooner, after being closed by the pandemic.

The council committed to explore any possible option to make sure every library is able to reopen – and the city made a strong case for this very welcome additional funding, which will make that possible.

We need to be clear that Maryhill and Whiteinch libraries both still need substantial capital investment for the future; but I am looking forward to all of Glasgow’s libraries welcoming people back through their doors.”

The response to the pandemic forced the closure of all Glasgow Life venues in March 2020. The £100 million funding guarantee the charity received from Glasgow City Council in March this year has enabled the reopening of more than 90 Glasgow Life venues, including the majority of the city’s libraries.

Glasgow Life has also been awarded a further £31,791 from the Scottish Government, administered by SLIC, for two projects aimed at helping to address the impact of the pandemic.

More than £22,000 will go towards a home library service, designed to deliver books to people unable to visit their local library. And, nearly £10,000 has also been awarded to the charity to enable them to deliver an early years’ literacy project to help to reduce the attainment gap created during the pandemic.

Glasgow Life will use the funding from SLIC to support families in Glasgow most in need of literacy support, to ensure children are supported to achieve their literacy milestones and reach their full potential.

Further information on the services available at all Glasgow Libraries, and information on other Glasgow Life venues and facilities, can be found at www.glasgowlife.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information.

Glasgow Life is hugely grateful for the support it has received over the past 18 months, which has helped the charity to continue delivering vital work in communities across the city during the most challenging of times. You can help Glasgow Life to continue to support the people of Glasgow by making a donation here www.glasgowlife.org.uk/support-us.