Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Property, Date, History, Renovation, Location

Mitchell Library Glasgow

Civic Building on North Street – design by William Whitie Architect, Scotland

11 Nov 2013

Mitchell Library Renewal

Glasgow’s Mitchell Library Refurbishment

A £3.4 million programme of refurbishment to Glasgow’s iconic Mitchell Library is to get underway this week.

Work will start on an upgrade to the 102-year-old building on Thursday and will replace the 30-year-old fire detection system, improve its lighting and install new lifts.

photographs © Isabelle Lomholt

It will also include the creation of a family history centre within the library, an improved study space and two upgraded public lifts. Floors within the library will also be relocated.

As a result of the work, sections of the library will be closed for several months. Levels four and five will close for refurbishment from Thursday, November 14, and will reopen in March 2014. The second phase of the works will then begin, with levels two and three inaccessible until June 2014.

Glasgow Life, which operates the Mitchell Library and 32 other libraries throughout the city, scheduled the work to place in two phases to minimise disruption and to ensure that the library could remain open to the public.

Councillor Archie Graham, chair of Glasgow Life, said: “The fire alarm upgrade is essential for public safety and to ensure we safeguard the Mitchell Library’s outstanding collections and the rich heritage of the city that is housed within the building.

“The huge investment will also deliver new and improved services, and I’m confident the public will be pleased with the outcome when the refurbishment is complete next year.”

13 Mar 2012 + 5 Dec 2011

Mitchell Library

New photos added, 13 Mar 2012:

Glasgow’s Mitchell Library is apparently the largest public reference library in Europe. The neoclassical building, designed by William B Whitie, contains over two million books and 13 floors of reading rooms. This year marks the 100th anniversary of its presence at Charing Cross.

photographs © Isabelle Lomholt

The Mitchell Library is to open an exhibition in celebration of its 100 years at the Charing Cross site. It was founded by Stephen Mitchell, who was born in Linlithgow in 1789 and took over the family’s tobacco business in 1820.

Mitchell never married and left his vast fortune entirely to the Corporation of Glasgow.

photographs © Isabelle Lomholt

Mitchell Library Building

Address: Mitchell Library, North St, Anderston, Glasgow, G3 7DA

Contact: 0141 287 2999

Design: Architect William B Whitie

photographs © Isabelle Lomholt

The Mitchell Library is located at 201 North St, Anderston, Glasgow and was built in 1891-3. The Mitchell Library was opened by the Earl Of Rosebery – owner of Dalmeny House – in 1911.

photo © Isabelle Lomholt

Mitchell Library, Glasgow – Refurbishment

Tenders were invited for the proposed refurbishment of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow in Apr 2005. The project has an estimated value of under £2m. The Client is Glasgow City Council.

The Mitchell Library contains the Glasgow City Archives and is one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe. It contains the Glasgow Room and online the Mitchell Library has available many images of Glasgow streets and buildings.

Nearest Underground to the Mitchell Library: St George’s Cross

photographs © Isabelle Lomholt

Sculptors: Johan Keller (1863-1944)
Thomas John Clapperton (1879-1962)
William Vickers (1892-1940)
Architect: William B Whitie (d.1946)

Mitchell Library Glasgow – fax: 0141 287 2815

Mitchell Library, North Street
31 Mar 2006

Library Landmark Lights up

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, will on Friday March 31, officially switch on the new lights on the world-famous building.

The Mitchell Library was one of the first buildings to be lit in Glasgow, sparking intense interest in lighting during the early 1990’s. Today, using state of the art technology, new lighting has been designed that will specifically enhance the library’s unique and outstanding features.

The event takes place ahead of the publication – Glasgow City of Light – going on sale. The book showcases the many projects lit up by the Council as part of its lighting strategy including the City Chambers, Crookston Castle, Glasgow Necropolis and George V Bridge.

Councillor Purcell, along with Bailie Allan Stewart, Convener of the Council’s Lighting Strategy, will officially switch on the new Mitchell Library lights. Joining them will be representatives from iGuzzini, sponsors of the project, and the lighting designers, Lightfolio.

Mitchell Library e-mail: lil(at)cls.glasgow.gov.uk

Mitchell Street : Loft Properties

picture from architect