Library campaigners ‘not going anywhere’

COMMUNITY groups campaigning to re-open the remaining library services across Glasgow say they are not going anywhere until the issue has been resolved.

Members of the Save Whiteinch Library group, which is one of five libraries still closed to the public, say they are alarmed at a letter from Glasgow Life to Conservative councillor Robert Connelly which said an exact date to relaunch these facilities couldn’t be confirmed until the council set its budget.

The letter followed speculation on social media that Couper, GoMA, Maryhill, Whiteinch and Barmulloch libraries could re-open in January.

Glasgow Life is now saying that if funding from the Scottish Government is successful, it will work towards opening the five venues in January but as the money is only available for this financial year – until next March – the council must decide how much money to award these libraries for the year 2022/23 in its next budget. Robert Mellish, from the Save Whiteinch Library campaign, said: “The information has been somewhat contradictory. It seems like the problem had been solved.

“The First Minister promised £1.25 million for Scottish libraries. That money would be required for the Glasgow area alone never mind the rest.

“That letter then popped up and we were again alarmed that Glasgow Life seemed to be saying this is not a done deal. This remains an issue and I’m sure the council would like to resolve it.

“We are not going away and the council needs to act, re-open the library and give us certainty. We need to see action not just words.”

Glasgow Life made an application to the Scottish Government’s Public Libraries Covid Recovery Fund to re-open and increase operating hours of its branches. It has not yet been confirmed how much money will be awarded.