IT is one of Europe's largest public lending libraries and is home to the city's public record archives.
The Mitchell Library in Glasgow can trace its history back to 1877 following a bequest from tobacco producer Stephen Mitchell when it was originally based in Ingram Street and 20 years later Andrew Carnegie laid the foundation stone in 1907 when it moved to the North Street which remains its home to this day.
The library, run by Glasgow Life, an arms-length organisation of Glasgow City Council, which runs culture and leisure on behalf of the local authority reopened its doors earlier this year after being closed during lockdown.
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And now it has been recognised with a nomination for an award for one of the services it operates and which kept going throughout lockdown.
Glasgow Libraries’ Business and Intellectual Property Centre, part of the British Library’s national BIPC network, has been shortlisted for the new Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Award 2021.
The Mitchell Library, run by Glasgow Life, has been nominated for an award
The inaugural award commends the outstanding contribution and innovation library teams across Scotland have shown over the past year in supporting their members. Glasgow has been shortlisted alongside teams from East Lothian, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Shetland and the Highlands.
The Mitchell library service offers access to free resources, advice from partner organisations and a dedicated experts in Residence programme; serving as a one-stop-shop for new and growing businesses.
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Throughout the pandemic the centre supported more than 300 entrepreneurs with starting or developing their business, with Glasgow Libraries’ team providing business support and intellectual property guidance through a regular series of blogs, newsletters, webinars, social media engagement and one-to-one support.
The Mitchell Library reopened its doors following lockdown restrictions
Councillor David McDonald, chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “The inaugural SLIC Award recognises the commitment and innovation library teams across Scotland have shown over the past year in continuing to support their local communities and businesses, and Glasgow is delighted to have been shortlisted alongside teams from East Lothian, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Shetland and the Highlands.
“Throughout lockdown, our BIPC team had to find new ways of connecting with their audience. During an extremely challenging time for businesses, particularly start-ups, the team listened to what local companies were asking for and worked quickly and creatively to adapt our core physical offer into a variety of digital content. Together with partners we were able to expand our Experts in Residence programme and make crucial business support workshops available online as webinars and through social media, all while The Mitchell Library had to remain closed.”
The Herald is leading a campaign for a fairer funding deal for Glasgow's culture and leisure assets - one that it allows it to move past the pandemic and secure its cultural assets for generations to come.
Glasgow Life lost £38m in income last year due to the pandemic and predicted income for 2021/22 is around £6.4m. While Glasgow City Council has reached an agreement for it to receive a guaranteed £100m a year for the next three or four years, Glasgow Life has only been able to open 90 of its 171 venues. Without further funds, it cannot open any further sites. Among the facilities which haven’t reopened their doors are five libraries - Maryhill, Whiteinch, Couper, GoMA and Barmulloch.
The winner of the inaugural SLIC Award will be announced on Friday, November 5.
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