Mitchell Library

You know what
It’s a stunning building outside, during the day you get to stand back and enjoy the magnificence of its architecture
In the evening the wonderful spectrum of colours used to illuminate the many angles and crevasse only add to its spectacular dominance of This area of Glasgow
Inside the main hall is just as wonderful to gaze upon … And this is where it stops being great
As a library … It’s dreadful, from its very uninspiring drab rooms and shelving
To the poor structure of the literature
The woeful attitude of some of the team when you ask to help… It’s like you have just been invited in to their home and done a piss in their bath… While they are in it
As a building its inspiring
As a library it’s awful

Since having my little boy I’ve been at the Mitchell Library almost every week and it’s wonderful to have this building so close by.
I’ve always found the staff friendly and helpful, happy to order in books or track them down at other local libraries if you’re in a rush.
We went to free bounce & rhyme classes here (on Monday’s at 10.30am) for the best part of a year and they are brilliant. Think songs, nursery rhymes and stories for kids that can be quiet interactive. The people who take the class are lovely and the people who attend are too, lots of people stick around after wards for coffee and cake in the café. The staff in the café are also nice offering to put drinks in take away cups when there are babies /​toddlers about.
The library also hosts numerous book events through out the year with some well known authors giving talks etc in their large auditorium.
The ground floor, where the café is and the kids books, can get very busy as there are always lots of people using the computers on this floor. I actually like seeing so many people in using the library, so seeing it so busy makes me smile.
You can also research your family tree (for free) or look up old maps and property information in the reference library. So there’s lots and lots to do.
Add to take how beautiful the building is, particularly when it’s lit up at night and you have a building that deserves to be at the heart of the city.

I visited the Mitchell Library last night, well actually the Mitchell Theatre housed within the Library. To attend an Aye Write session with Gregor Fisher who has recently published his Autobiography with the assistance of Melanie Reid the Evening Times Columnist.
Below is a synopsis of the book
The warm, funny memoir of Gregor Fisher, the much loved Scottish actor best known for Rab C. Nesbitt, told as he uncovers his dramatic family history.
Growing up in the Glasgow suburbs, Gregor was 14 when he asked where he was christened and was told that he was adopted. But it wasn’t quite that simple. And so began an unfolding of truths, half-​truths and polite cover-​ups from his various families. In 2014 Gregor approached Times columnist Melanie Reid to help him tell his story. Together they travelled through the mining villages of central Scotland to uncover the mystery of his birth and early life. What emerged was a story of secrets, deception, tragic accidents and early death, coldness and rejection from the very people who should have cherished him most, but a welcome from the most unexpected of quarters.
From the squalor of industrial Coatbridge after WW1 to his own 1950s Glasgow childhood, via a love letter found in the wallet of a dead man and meeting his sister outside lost luggage at Glasgow Central, Gregor shares his family story with warmth and blunt Scottish humour
.
This is my first time at one of these events and I certainly would recommend attending one. Gregor is a very good Racounter and he was ably assisted with some memoir reminders from Melanie, through writing such a poignant story together it was easy to see they had a great mutual respect of each other.
There was a Young Gentleman who interviewed them (Did not catch his name as we were a few minutes late) for about thirty minutes and then he opened questions open to the audience, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Theatre was almost full, we were a very reserved audience and it took a few prompts before someone asked a question, gregor was very free with his answers but I felt he held a little bag teasing us into buying the book, and why not.
The evening ended with Gregor explaining that Waterstone’s were in the foyer and himself & Melanie would be signing copies of the book, he informed us of this in true Rab C. Nesbit style and like most of the evening brought a great laugh from the audience.
It would seem to the onlooker that Gregor Fisher had a miserable first four years of life he did not see it like that and had a very happy childhood with his second set of Adoptive Parents. I did not purchase a book last night but I will be downloading a copy of it to my reader soon

The Mitchell Library is my favourite Glasgow library, it has five floors of goodies. I am a book geek so have spent many a happy hour browsing, but also purposefully sourcing things for a specific subject is pretty easy as they have an easily accessible digitised catalogue.
The local studies room and family history spaces are so useful for those exploring their Glaswegian or Strathclyde roots, or the history of their house; staff are superbly knowledgable about the area and the resources which they have, you can even request copies of architectural plans for famous buildings or old postcards of historic Glasgow.
The main lending library is on the ground floor, and each floor has lending and reference materials. There are quite often events on at the library, such as kids bookbug sessions or special exhibitions in the foyer/​main hall, and Aye Write takes place every year celebrating Glasgow writing old and new. The building as a whole is quite spectacular architecturally, and if you have a particular interest in this, I recommend browsing the large images in the corridor between the Granville Street and North Street entrances– here you can see that famous landmark dome being constructed.
The study carrells on level 4 or 5 are so useful for concentrated study, you get your own small room with a large area of desk, several power point sockets and its own lockable door, but it does annoy me that they charge for these now (they used to be free). I sometimes have a need for ‘shut the world out’ study so it does bug me that the supposed quiet study areas are not always quiet– especially around exam time for schools and uni– I don’t think there are enough staff to make sure people do group work elsewhere!
There is now wifi throughout the building, and if you do not have your own computer/​laptop it is really easy to access the PC’s on the ground floor, a great community resource.
I am wondering if four stars is harsh, as I couldn’t do without the Mitchell, but the study carrell situation and the balance of quiet/​group areas does lead me to being a bit annoyed sometimes so it’s not ‘as good as it gets’ but ‘I am a fan’.

The building is truly epic but the interior is a mishmash of different areas layered into one another. This can be done well but the interior is all over the place. seventies looking rug in part and modern open area with café in another. It’s also quite mazelike and I’m not sure how to see all of the building. The book selection seems rather small for such a huge library and I think people use it more as a study area or for the wifi. The staff were kind and helpful. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to this particular library but it was nice to see.
Also the kids area is incredibly cramped.

I have to say the Mitchell is a really grand building that Glasgow should be very proud off. I’ve visited here when I’ve been unemployed, on my work breaks or when I was studying in which case I found the books on offer to be very helpful and informative.
A great place to do a bit of research or for some casual browsing.

I decided to update my original review for the Mitchell, as not only is it four years out of date but I have been a regular visitor to the library for the past 18 months, so have had the chance to examine some of its finer points. In my original review I gave it four stars out of five. However, this review was flawed, as I had really only visited the library a few times and only used a select portion of its facilities.
So here is the deal. My regular visits to the Mitchell have involved using the Wi-​Fi for my laptop. Not without about a million problems. The wi-​fi is only actually available on two floors of the library (ground and 4^th), which is far from ideal and means it is often difficult to find a space to sit that is not taken. On the 4^th floor, the speed of the internet is VERY VERY SLOW, to the point that I almost smashed my laptop into a million pieces. I have experienced quicker Wi-​Fi in most cafes and pubs to be honest, or indeed in my own flat. The (highly outdated and uncomfortable) tables and chairs area in the 4^th floor is surrounded by heaters. But in one of the rooms these are never ever switched on, even in the middle of winter.
Okay, so lets try the Wi-​Fi on the ground floor. Not much better really. It is considerably quicker but still far below par. And that is if it works at all — some days the reception seems to switch itself on and off without warning and there has even been periods of the Internet being down for days on end. Then there is the power sockets. Around half of these seem to be permanently out of action — I have mentioned this problem to the staff on numerous occasions but nothing has ever been done to address it. The gents toilets are also unclean, full of litter, vandalism, taps often not working, toilets blocked and plagued by psychos talking to themselves.
On the plus side (there actually is a plus side), there is a wide selection of books in the Mitchell, though still not as much as you would expect for a place of its size and reputation. Some of the staff I have found to be very helpful but unfortunately there are a few who are quite patronising and rude at times. The newspaper microfilm archive is another one of the good features.
Perhaps my biggest problem with the Mitchell is with some of the people who use it. A library is primarily a place of learning but most folk who occupy the main computers seem to be there to play online gambling or watch silly YouTube videos. Most seem to think nothing of blasting there music out without using headphones and the staff unfortunately do not bother to stop them. The ground floor in particular seems to be permanently occupied by tramps and all sorts of oddballs who will happily sit on the seats using the library as a place of refuge all day without any care about those who need the library for learning purposes. The staff, again, do not seem interested in stopping them. There is one creep in particular who — without fail — turns up every Mon and Thurs afternoon and spends the time staring into space outside the café and shouting random nonsense at strangers walking by. And nothing is done to stop him!
You will also be lucky to concentrate at all on any important uni or work work stuff you have to do on the bottom floor, given there always seems to be somebody right beside you coughing and snorting loudly (if you are ill, surely you would stay at home?) or bellowing down their laptop to their friend on Skype. It is also very cold, with powerful air conditioning pelting out even in winter as well as draughts from the automatic doors. I was even in here on a sweltering, heatwave July day once and ended up cold thanks to the air con! Shocking!
This may sound like an overly harsh review and it is probably the most critical out of the lots that I have written. But I feel the criticism is justified. After all, the Mitchell is supposedly the biggest library in Europe, and it is therefore unbelievable quite how poorly run it is. Not a good advert for Glasgow with the Commonwealth Games only months away, thats for sure. And the only reason I visited it so often for so long was there was such a lack of alternatives for internet access and books at the same time.

Great building with lots of nice spaces inside.
Unfortunately the wifi is utter SHITE so cannot recommend this place at all if you are looking for a spot to work on your laptop.

Just back from the Mitchell library, for a morning meeting I forgot how awesome the place is. Arn’t we lucky in this county to have do many free quality places to visit.
Whilst I was there took the opportunity to avail myself of the free wifi. That got me thinking about the other free places to visit, so that’s my weekend sorted think the People’s Palace is on the cards for Saturday.
With the winter approaching fast I am making a list of places to visit all over Glasgow, just to remind me of what this great city has to offer. When I was younger that’s all we did during our holidays looking forward to it. Cheers

Up there with the best that Glasgow has to offer on the arts and culture front.
An awesome choice of books for leisure, academic facilities and IT on offer as well as various exhibitions held over the year.
I was here today (²⁵⁄₀₆) for the Scotch Whisky Association’s exhibition, which was first class. Detail on the making of and maturation of Scotland’s various whiskies as well as the history of branding, advertising and marketing of the sweet stuff. Highly recommended AND it’s free!

I often go to the Mitchell Library to use the photocopier or to use reference books. The downstairs is quite often busy and full so l always head to the fourth floor.
There is a café on the main floor but often busy and you have to queue for service. Some staff are grumpy just depends what day you get them on (not café).
Phones are constantly ringing and there seems to be no one there to answer them so you never get peace and quiet like the old days.
Lot of rude graffiti upstairs in the toilet walls that makes good reading if you like a laugh need’s painting over.

I joined the Mitchell Library last week (photo ID and a utility bill will do the trick) and look forward to availing of their PCs for free internet access, and maybe downloading a few ebooks to my tablet/​ereader. I rather fancied some of the nicely presented salads and sandwiches coming out of the Mitchell’s café, but as it wasn’t lunch o’clock I didn’t bite.
Last year I attended a talk by AC Grayling in the comfortable and perfectly formed lecture theatre (part of the Aye Write Festival I think), and more recently was blown away by the George Wyllie Retrospective. The world could do with more George Wyllies! His sculptures, installations, art and poetry are enough to make a career curmudgeon smile. I think the exhibition is running for a few more months yet. Go there!
If you have just half an hour to spare, do step into the permanent puppet exhibition to the right of the main reception desk. Some of those puppets are over a thousand years old and hail from all corners of the world. They don’t seem to mind if you want to snap away and take photos.
Would definitely recommend a visit to the Mitchell Library.
Oh, and they have lots of books too.

It pains me to do this… Right, so here goes. I take the wean brain to nursery and need a nearby joint to continue fighting the good Unilocal fight and taking the word to the street (word).
My brain instantly pinpoints the Mitchell and off I pops. On arrival, said brain taps me on the shoulder and announces that should I require sufficient noggin power to operate at more than browsing level, then coffee may (nay must) be ingested.
So, to the coffee bar I go for a broon juice jolt. First boo coming. The line was big, but dealt with quickly. On ordering I was informed that they had no lids for takeaway. Not a big problem to be honest, but kinda shoddy. Worst of all though is the coffee being served minus lid. It’s shoddy at best. Not the kinda stuff that should be served for human consumption and left me ruing the decision not to hit CC&T before I popped in here.
Next up, I flung myself in the lift and ventured to the fourth floor where the wifi is historically more reliable. Upon unloading all the gear that comes with working out of office, I spent 10mins trying to log in before venturing to the desk to be informed that the wifi on 4 has been down all day… whit, nae sign? Nothing to tell us that afore we waste ¹⁰⁄₁₅ mins?
Ok, so gear packed up and I head downstairs. Upon arrival I’m met with several of the reasons as to why I always head to the fourth. The place is packed and the seating available seems to have been designed to keep laptop users away. Either that or they have a deal struck with the local chiropractor. It’s either laptop on yer lap (neck destroying option), or on a breakfast bar type set up with stools that are at least a foot too short, resulting in you looking like a wean and feeling like a dork.
So, i take the breakfast bar and BOOM, strike three occurs. Wifi allows me to log in, but then spends the next 10 mins chucking me off, letting me on, chucking me off, letting… you get the point.
So here I am now, sitting in Starbucks and cursing the shoddy wifi at the Mitchell for driving me into big bucks busom of the beast. Don’t get me wrong, the Mitchell has a charm that v few public buildings offer. But the usability of it? Questionable.

Now I want to preface this by saying that libraries are useful to me for very specific reasons.
I am a student so basically I want my library to be:
–quiet
–comfortable
–well lit
–ample personal study space
–wifi enabled with lots of power outlets for laptops
–easy and cheap access to printers
The Mitchell does offer a few of these things — its generally a nice place to sit and study, and one can usually find a spot on the computers or among the stacks to read. Printing services are pretty good — I believe its 10p for a black and white page which is acceptable.
As for a reliable wifi connection or a place to plug in your laptop — good luck!
I live across the street and get a better wireless signal from my own flat. I cannot understand how in the year 2012 the largest public library in the largest city in Scotland cannot figure out how to get wifi on more than 2 floors…
In my humble opinion (and it is only that) this is not a world class library, and I would be ashamed to call it one of the best in Europe. I have seen at least 5 better libraries at my previous University campus back home in Canada, granted these were libraries geared towards the needs of students — I don’t mean to gloat: P
I cannot speak for its use as a reference library (which I hear it is great for) or as a performance venue (also seems to be popular for such events)
And I’m sorry but what kind of library IS NOT OPEN ON SUNDAY! When else do you think people who work/​go to school during the week are going to have a chance to get down to use the place?!

What a great place. I can’t believe I never visited this place while I was at Uni.
I ventured in yesterday because I was in search of a good book to read. First, I went in through the front door, which doesn’t really get you anywhere. The porter was very friendly and asked where I’d like to go.
Um. Fiction?
He gave me directions and about mid-​way en route, I thought I was going the wrong way because I had stumbled upon the Businesses at the Mitchell office.
A kind woman, on the phone at the time, beckoned me through the door (I must have had that confused look on my face), and when I stepped fully into the area, I saw the stairs I was looking for!
Downstairs in the Leisure area, I was astonished at what I saw. Books, and further along, a café! and next to that were rows and rows of computers. The place was bustling and energetic.
I felt instantly at home.
Turns out I no longer have a library card, so I had to apply for one. However, it took about 60 seconds to do, and then I was set!
I checked out one book, and learned quickly that you can renew your books online, without having to come back to the library. Aces!
I was well-​impressed with the place. It’s the a library, run like a business, run like a library. Perfect!

Hello, my name is Katie, and I have a Mitchell Library addiction. Why? Because it’s beautiful. And huge. And useful. And warm. And the biggest reference library in Europe.
The Mitchell Library is a very large impressive building on the outskirts of the city centre. It’s actually located just by the Kelvingrove junction of the M8 — and if you’re approaching it from there you’ll probably be interested to know that there is parking at the library — although it is pay & display only.
Inside the library, you’ll find all sorts of arty types along with students, mums and children. In fact, the majority of people are there to take advantage of the free wifi, which is available all throughout the building.
As well as reference sections on pretty much everything you could need to know, there’s also a café, a theatre, conference rooms, computer rooms and exhibition space. At the moment they have a photographic exhibition of Israeli and Palestinian photographs, which is definitely worth a bit of a gander.
In conclusion — I love this place, and you should too.

Utterly massive, and very impressive from the outside, the Mitchell is Europe’s largest public reference library, and I visited here in a panic once when my uni library had ran out of a few books i needed.
Unfortunately they didn’t have them. Any of them. In the biggest library in Europe.
It doesn’t look half as nice inside, either.

I first ventured into the library when I was broke, had no internet or telly in the flat. In my spare time I am bit a of a whisky geek. (I’m lying I’m a massive geek). I wanted to read one book which is on the production of the water of life and had no idea to start — it is the biggest reference library in Europe! Luckily the staff were patient and helpful, soon I had my book and library card. I read for hours and left pleased that institutions like this one still exist.
From the outside, this is easily one of the most impressive buildings in Glasgow especially if you are passing at night. Inside, the interior is a little dated but I can live with that. Downstairs there is a café and more computers for public use than you can shake a stick at.
So get yourself down, take your laptop and use the wifi or even better get one of the books and take advantage of this fantastic resource!