Literacy

Mitchell Library education programme

A photo of three female pupils looking at a book in the school library

Introduction

The Glasgow library network is one of the many services offered by Culture and Sport Glasgow. There is a network of 33 Community Libraries across the city. In addition to this, library services are delivered from a Children’s Play Centre in Cranhill and a drop-in centre in Sighthill. The network also includes the Mitchell Library, Europe’s largest public reference library, which welcomes children and young people.

Library services are delivered by staff from the Community Libraries Network and the Mitchell Library. In addition, within the Access Services Section based at the Mitchell Library there is a Young People’s Services Team whose remit is to work closely with parents, teachers, individual children and groups of school pupils and pre-school children.

Raising attainment 

Libraries can assist with the raising of attainment levels for Glasgow pupils. They deliver a range of sustainable programmes and resources, which are in line with the strategic objectives for both Education Services, and Culture and Sport Glasgow.

The service can provide imaginative education experiences that support teachers, pupils and parents, through a variety of lifelong learning opportunities.

Libraries can support the curriculum and provide opportunities for cross-generational learning through homework support, after-school clubs, reading groups, workshops, and holiday programmes.

Such extra-curricular activities are extremely important in developing core skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving and critical thinking as well as self-esteem.