Glasgow Women’s Library
Project Description
The Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) project facilitated the major refurbishment of the former Bridgeton Public Library in the heart of the East End, an area of multiple deprivation that has suffered decades of neglect and industrial decline. The Commonwealth Games in 2014 provided the catalyst for major transformational change across the East End, with the multi-agency regeneration project being led by Clyde Gateway. The GWL building is a two storey sandstone, Category B Listed, Carnegie Library built in 1906 and retaining many of its original internal and external features. Refurbishment works have created dedicated environmentally controlled archive/museum stores, learning zones and public events and gallery spaces, in addition to improved and DDA compliant access. Finding a new long-term tenant for this empty historic building was a key component to genuine and sustainable regeneration of the East End by Clyde Gateway, since the previous occupant relocated to the Olympia Building close by. The GWL project establishes an enhanced social, economic and cultural offer to the community. Moreover, GWL’s status as the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s history (becoming a ‘Recognised Collection of National Significance’ in December 2015) has resulted in a significant increase in cultural activity in the area, creating an inspiring building that is central to the local community and also visited by people from all over the world. Set up in 1991, Glasgow Women’s Library is the sole resource of its kind in Scotland and is open to all. As well as being an Accredited Museum, GWL houses a lending library and archive collections, including unique and rare historical and contemporary artefacts, celebrating the lives and achievements of women. GWL is a multi-award winning charity which runs innovative educational programmes, public events and other learning opportunities for a diverse range of users, with ‘hard to reach’ communities particularly among key beneficiaries. Among other dedicated Projects, GWL runs a popular Adult Literacy and Numeracy Project, English as a Second Language classes, a Project aimed at Black and Minority Ethnic women and integration, and a Project focussing on Women and Sectarianism. GWL, having grown from an unfunded grass-roots organisation, has now, after 25 years, developed into a well-respected, internationally renowned cultural hub, employing 21 paid staff and supporting 100 volunteers through its Volunteer Development Programme, many of these being local residents. GWL was described by the Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland, who officially launched the newly refurbished building in November 2015, as ‘Truly a national treasure.’ GWL relocated to this building in November 2013, with the refurbishment starting in November 2014 and being completed in September 2015. Clyde Gateway provided Project Management support throughout this project, whilst GWL remained in occupation, and ‘open for business’ in a live zone within the central area of the building, whilst works were undertaken. The design meets all the needs of GWL and its community of users and the build is of astounding quality. As well as a Charity, GWL is a not for profit voluntary organisation.