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Save our Venues : Vision for Glasgow public libraries to be drawn up after reopening

Save our Venues : vision for Glasgow public libraries to be drawn up after re-opening
Save our Venues : vision for Glasgow public libraries to be drawn up after re-opening

A new ‘vision’ for Glasgow’s public libraries is to be drawn up that could include more services and activities.

As well as books and computer access, libraries across the city could be used to also host toy and tool libraries and repair and skills workshops.

A public consultation exercise is being carried out to find out what people want their local library to be able to do.

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Last year campaigns sprung up in areas to protect their library from closure, including in Whiteinch, Maryhill and Cathcart.

The Glasgow Times Save our Venues campaign highlighted facilities at risk and local efforts to save them.

Protests were held outside the libraries and people told the council how much they valued them as a community asset.

The libraries were eventually reopened after an extended period of closure after the pandemic lockdown.

The Vision for Glasgow Libraries will outline the plan for the next five years and focus on five themes of culture, health, social, economy and environment.

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In a report to councillors, Susan Deighan, chief executive of Glasgow Life which operates the libraries, said: “An online public consultation process will take place, supported by the opportunity to access physical copies of the draft vision and make comment.

“[There will be a] programme of engagements to support the involvement of local community organisations in the consultation process.

“A particular aspect of this element of the programme will be to identify longer-term models for communities to be involved in the planning and delivery of services relevant to local community needs, developing community hubs and flexible management arrangements.

“This section of the consultation will include area partnerships, community councils and groups who campaigned for the reopening of libraries.

“Glasgow City Council elected members, Glasgow constituency MSPs and MPs will be given the opportunity to comment.”

Library staff and others in communities have already been attending workshops to look at potential areas of future collaborative working.

The aim is to “deliver services that meet both community and individual needs and the city’s priorities”.