Gallus Glasgow M: The Mitchell

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Mitchell Library. Image credit: Andeggs, via Wikimedia. Public domain.
Mitchell Library. Image credit: Andeggs, via Wikimedia. Public domain.

The magnificent dome of the Mitchell Library is one of Glasgow’s most distinctive landmarks. The building opened in 1911, but the library itself dates from the 1870s (based on a bequest by wealthy tobacco merchant Stephen Mitchell).

I can tell you exactly when I first set foot in the Mitchell – long before I lived in Glasgow. It was Easter 1980, and my library school class (from Sheffield, England) was on a field trip visiting Scottish libraries. An extension (opened 1981) was in its final stages and we were taken through it – no shelves or books, but the carpets were already laid. Oh those carpets! They were very proud of them and told us how much they had cost – I can’t remember, but I know it was a lot. They were VERY colourful – and what’s more, they are still there. Bring your shades! (Those of you who were paying attention yesterday – sit up at the back there! – should recognise the symbols in the carpet at the top right.)

North Street entrance
Carpet
Carpet
Main Hall
Burns Room
Dome
Jeffrey Room
Lending area
Granville Street entrance

Whether you like the carpets or not (and they have many fans and their own Facebook gallery) it’s undeniable that the Mitchell is a huge asset to the city. It’s one of Europe’s largest public libraries with over one million items of stock and the hub of a city-wide information service. It also includes a theatre, a conference space and the Herald Café Bar. I’m a frequent visitor.

N tomorrow – it involves bagpipes!

A to Z Challenge 2015, Books and Libraries, Scotland, UK ,

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  6. Oh now this is a library. The carpets look interesting and I should place the carpet from your post yesterday but I am having a brain fart plus I am tired:) I love that front façade with the men(Gods??) holding up the front-I see that in other buildings around Europe

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  8. Please, oh please tell me this one isn’t slated for demolition! ;__; That is one of the most beautiful public libraries Ive ever seen!

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    • No, absolutely not! There’d be a revolution. The annual book festival, Aye Write, starts tomorrow which I’m really looking forward to – I’ll be on the door for a few sessions which is great because I then get to listen in. Aye Write is a pun on the Glasgow double positive = negative, Aye right! Which means definitely not.

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  12. I’ve never been there, though I’ve admired the outside plenty of times.

    Perhaps next time I’m up for a hospital appointment I’ll have to make a bit of detour. 😉

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  14. That’s a library? Oh my goodness that is stunning! If I went there, I wouldn’t get any reading done because I’d be too busy taking pictures and exploring.

    -Chrys Fey
    Tremp’s Troops – A to Z Co-co-host
    Write with Fey

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  15. What a beautiful library! I’m jealous. My local library is tiny (albeit housed in a handsome red brick Victorian building), and they don’t carry most of the books I want to read!

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  18. That is an amazing building Anabel. Would love to hang out there for hoooours…. Gorgeous. Looking forward to the bagpipes:-)

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  20. AHHHH!!! THAT is your LIBRARY?! I am super jelly! :O When can I book a ticket already?! I need this library in my life!

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  22. A fantastic building and resource for the city. I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘behind the scenes’ tour we both were lucky to experience. I’ll be back there on Friday for Aye Write.

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