Libraries were a lifeline for me... they must reopen, says Still Game’s Gavin
HE might be a dab hand at pulling a pint or two in Still Game pub The Clansman as Boaby the Barman, but actor Gavin Mitchell says he is much more at home in the security of one of Glasgow’s libraries.
For Mitchell, libraries are a place of solace and comfort and he says he wouldn’t be where he is today without them. Growing up, he was a regular visitor at Springburn Library, which he describes as escapism for someone with such a love of books.
More recently, he had been a familiar face at Maryhill Library before lockdown and is a well-kent face in libraries across the city.
It is this passion which has led him to become involved in the fight for the city’s libraries to be reopened – and the Still Game star can be found on the steps of Maryhill Library on Saturday mornings with fellow campaigners leading weekly read-ins.
“When I received my honorary doctorate a couple of years ago it reminded me that everything
I have done is because I have self educated. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my local libraries,” said Mitchell.
“I am just a lover of books and have an addiction to libraries. I can’t walk past a library without going in and I must know most of the librarians in the city. Libraries have always been a huge part of my life and saved me, in a way. Whether it be Glasgow, Lanarkshire, or somewhere abroad where I don’t speak the language, I will hunt out the library first.”
He has been supporting the Save Maryhill Library campaign since it was revealed it was one of the libraries with no reopening date as we emerge from lockdown. Glasgow Life, the arms-length charitable organisation which operates the city’s culture and leisure facilities on behalf of the city council, is responsible for 33 libraries. While some have reopened, such as Hillhead and Govanhill, others, including Maryhill, Whiteinch and the Couper libraries are still waiting for news. Glasgow Life lost £38 million last year due to lockdown and its estimated income for 2020/21 is around £6.4m. An agreed council funding deal will see Glasgow Life receive a guaranteed £100m over the next four years to open 90 out of its 171 venues. Without further funding, they say they cannot reopen any more venues.
That is why The Herald has launched A Fair Deal For Glasgow campaign calling on both Scottish and UK governments to agree a new funding deal for Glasgow’s assets and venues of national and international significance.
We are also seeking commitment from both Scottish and UK governments to work with the city to achieve this and Glasgow’s cultural assets and collections of national and international significance are recognised and funded at national level.
Our funding call comes at a time when around 500 jobs will go at the organisation over a five-year period. This week, trade unions have taken action over the threat of 500 job losses at the city’s culture and leisure organisation with a formal collective grievance. Unison, GMB and Unite say the arms-length charity has failed to consult staff properly about the plans. Glasgow Life said they were in receipt of the grievance.
Mitchell added: “Libraries are an essential part of life and are not a luxury. They should be open to all. If you take Maryhill as just one example, it is an area already facing difficulties and its library is a place where people can go to interact, access the internet, or for people to take part in classes.”
Campaigners meet on a Saturday morning and read their books while receiving cheers and beeps from passers-by and motorists.
Mr Mitchell also enlisted the help of Glasgow-based comedy rock band Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5 to raise the profile of a recent read-in.
“It has all been about showing solidarity and we are not giving up,” added Mitchell. “I think Glasgow Life and the council might have underestimated the strength of feeling towards local libraries, places that were gifted to the city and are the very foundations of our city.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “Reopening dates for the majority – 28 – of Glasgow’s 33 public libraries were indicated in April as part of the £100m budget we have been given by Glasgow City Council this year which is being used in full reopening more than 90 venues.
“Right now 22 libraries are open, and four more are due to reopen in the coming weeks. The cost of operating the remaining libraries currently without opening dates would be
£1.2 million a year.”