Funding secured to reopen Glasgow's closed libraries
The Scottish Government has announced nearly half a million pounds in funding to reopen five libraries in Glasgow that have not reopened since the pandemic.
Glasgow City Council has been given £448,068 by the Scottish Government to reopen five libraries that failed to reopen after they were closed because of the pandemic.
The closed libraries are Maryhill, Whiteinch, GoMA, Couper Institute and Barmulloch.
The Scottish Government’s £1.25 million Public Library COVID Relief Fund will support 23 projects around the country to re-connect communities with their libraries.
Applications were made through the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and allocations will also support reading and STEM education programmes.
While priority was given to applications which support deprived areas and communities, all library services across Scotland were invited to apply for the fund.
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “These funding allocations will support public libraries across Scotland. Libraries that closed because of the pandemic will re-open and others will be able to widen the services that they offer their local communities.
“Libraries are so much more than a place to borrow books. This fund will see the provision of community-centred projects aimed at, among other things, reducing social isolation, promoting mental wellbeing and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap.
“This funding is part of the Government’s wider aspiration to drive a cultural recovery for our communities. I look forward to seeing how libraries use this support to benefit their local area and to working with the library sector on our future recovery plans”.
Scottish Library and Information Council Chair Ian Ruthven said:
“Public libraries are an essential part of Scotland's social fabric, supporting and inspiring people to fulfil their potential for over 150 years.
“Improving mental wellbeing, tackling social isolation and closing the digital divide are some of the key aims of public libraries. The Public Library COVID Relief Fund will allow local public libraries to reconnect with their communities and offer these much-valued services.”