Opening hours at eight Glasgow libraries are to be extended from today in another step towards returning services to normal.
The popular Mitchell Library is among the venues returning to full-time hours as part of the phrased approach undertaken by Glasgow Life.
Castlemilk, Ibrox, Library at The Bridge, Pollokshields, Possilpark, Riddrie, and Royston will also be returning to opening hours seen before the pandemic.
A total of 13 libraries across the city are now back to being open full-time. Barmulloch, Couper Institute, Library @ GoMA, Maryhill and Whiteinch were reopened earlier in the year following long-running community protests against the closures.
The Scottish Government gave Glasgow Life an extra grant of £448,068, in addition to the £100 million funding guarantee Glasgow Life received from Glasgow City Council in March 2021, following the protests.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: "We have been taking a phased approach to increasing opening hours and are working towards returning library opening hours to pre-pandemic levels at the remaining 18 reopened libraries throughout March and April 2022."
The operator added that Elder Park and Woodside Libraries are also planned to reopen in 2022 following significant investment and refurbishment.
We told how community groups are now campaigning to have community centres that still remain closed reopened to the public.
Ruchill Community Centre is among the venues not currently scheduled for reopening but awaiting a community 'takeover' under the 'People Make Glasgow Communities programme'.
Glasgow Life has confirmed that if a third sector organisation were to take on the responsibility of operating a community centre or any venue then their lease would be with Glasgow City Council, who own the building, and Glasgow Life would have no further involvement with it.
Since July 2020 nine community centres have reopened and from November 2021 opening hours at seven of these venues increased to allow existing evening tenants and let holders to reinstate their programme/activity bookings.
Check the full list of library opening times here.
