A library is closing permanently and will not reopen to the public when lockdown restrictions ease.
Glasgow Life has confirmed Whiteinch Library is to close just days after mistakenly saying it was being refurbished.
Local people became suspicious after it was omitted from a list of 90 city venues that are due to reopen after the lockdown that was issued last Friday.
A petition was launched at the start of the week to save the facility and more than 1,000 names have since been added.
But Glasgow Life only confirmed today that the library on Victoria Park Drive South is not reopening.
The arms-length public body that runs the city’s leisure venues says it is facing a budget shortfall caused by the pandemic.
Glasgow Life has been asked whether any of its other facilities not on the list will permanently close.
Most city libraries are due to reopen next week but a number of venues have been ‘delayed’ for modifications.
Scotstoun resident Ali Howard contacted Glasgow Libraries - part of Glasgow Life - about Whiteinch Library after the list came out.
On Twitter, Glasgow Libraries replied on Tuesday this week “Whiteinch Library is in the process of being refurbished which is why it doesn’t have a re-opening date”.
However, on Wednesday Glasgow Libraries added another comment: “Yesterday we told you Whiteinch Library was being refurbished.
“This is not the case and we apologise for the error.”
Ali told Glasgow West End Today: “It would be a huge loss to the local community to see Whiteinch Library close.
“The library plays a vital role in our area, not just for the community of Whiteinch, but the surrounding areas of Scotstoun and Jordanhill, and is widely-used, much loved and visited by hundreds of local schoolchildren every year.”
Maureen Cannell lives next door to the library.
She started a petition on the 38 Degrees website after word spread the library was closing.
“I think in this area we have suffered enough cuts.
“My family has lived in the local area for 40 years and four generations of my family have used the library.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said today (Thursday): “Glasgow Life is a charity that delivers programmes, experiences and events through arts and music, museums, libraries and learning, gyms and outdoor sporting facilities.
The library plays a vital role in our area, not just for the community of Whiteinch, but the surrounding areas of Scotstoun and Jordanhill, and is widely-used, much loved and visited by hundreds of local schoolchildren every year
Local Resident
“Glasgow Life’s operating budget this year is nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic budgets for the charity and the £100 million safety net announced by Glasgow City Council will be fully utilised reopening more than 90 facilities across the city we confirmed last week.
“Whiteinch Library is not one of the facilities planned to reopen, however Glasgow Life is exploring how the community library provision can be supported in another venue as part of the city’s approach to community hubs.
“Anyone wishing to indicate their interest in using Whiteinch Library building can do so through Glasgow City Council’s People Make Glasgow Communities programme.”
