Glasgow library campaigners vow to keep up fight for long-term funding

Whiteinch, Maryhill, GoMA and The Couper Institute Libraries will all re-open on Monday, January 24 after Glasgow Life secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Public Library Covid Recovery Fund. But fears still remain that the libraries could close as funding is only guaranteed until March 31.

Whiteinch, Maryhill and the Couper Institute all held weekly read-ins on Saturday mornings in a bid to open them again. The venues will host one last read-in tomorrow to mark the re-opening.

READ MORE: Glasgow Life reveal opening dates of five libraries including Maryhill and Whiteinch

Keiran O’Neill from the Save Maryhill Library campaign has said that the opening dates would not have been possible without the dedication of local activists. Mr O’Neill, who is Labour’s candidate in Maryhill in this year’s election said: “We welcome the announcement that Maryhill Library’s doors will once again be open to the community from Monday January 24.

“We have campaigned tirelessly for this since last May when at the height of a pandemic we were told that our library was simply to become a thing of the past.

“We are grateful to the thousands who have supported our campaign and will continue to fight until the long-term future of our library in its historic Carnegie building home is safeguarded.”

Colin Mcgeoch, from the Save Glasgow Libraries campaign, said: “Communities are still concerned that although libraries are reopening, the grant funding that has been made available has to be spent by March 31, 2022.

“We’re still worried that there’s no commitment for long-term funding to secure the future of the venues. While we welcome support for one year, it needs to go beyond that.”

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council said that she recognised libraries still needed further investment. She said: “Council leader Susan Aitken said: “We have always understood the value of libraries to their communities which is why we have been working towards reopening all libraries as soon as we were able to do so.

“While we must not forget that Maryhill and Whiteinch libraries both still need substantial capital investment for the future; I am looking forward to all of Glasgow’s libraries being able to welcome people back through their doors.”