Glasgow schools to lose librarians due to council budget cuts
The new model being proposed would introduce a 'principal librarian' as well as allocate three school librarians to 'area-based responsibilities.' Each school will then be served by a library assistant. Officials claim that this cut will, therefore, increase library services by raising the number of hours in which facilities have some form of staffing.
Glasgow Life recently advertised ten library assistant posts, each of which offered a maximum salary of £25,861.29. Librarian salaries for the same organisation are advertised as being up to £39,089.87 per year.
Speaking to The Herald, one school librarian from the city said that they had been informed on Thursday that they would no longer have jobs working in schools, and alleged that they had been told not to inform school pupils.
They explained that the changes will put services like book groups, lunchtime clubs and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support at risk, and rejected claims that services would be unaffected as 'propaganda' from Glasgow Life.
The individual said that librarians are "heartbroken" and described Glasgow Life's handling of the situation, including the decision to wait until "right before summer" to announce the plans, as "cruel".
In 2023 Glasgow Life scrapped the School Library Outreach service, which was described as vital by teachers, and subsequently sold off much of the material it contained to schools.
Sean McNamara, Director of the Charted Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS), hit out at the proposals:
'We are extremely troubled to hear that Glasgow may end up with fewer professional staff delivering their school libraries, if current proposals are taken forwards.
'We believe that the availability of access to appropriately trained and full time school librarians contribute to curriculum goals, attainment, literacy levels and improved critical thinking, and should be retained. We welcome the fact that trade unions are being consulted before final decisions are made.
'Local authorities and trusts should think very carefully before cutting any library services. They also need greater financial support to avoid having to make these damaging cuts to vital services and steps need to be taken to protect school library staffing and budgets at a national level.
'With huge societal and technological challenges such as requests to ban books, misinformation and the rise of Generative AI, we have never needed skilled information professionals in our schools more.'
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: 'Glasgow Life has managed the city's Secondary School Library Service on behalf of Glasgow City Council since 2010. In February 2024, as part of its three-year budget setting process for 2024-27, the Council approved a review of the service, with a target saving of £100,000.
'A comprehensive review and consultation with the Council's Education Services and secondary schools on the future of the service was completed earlier this year, which highlighted the importance of increasing access to school libraries across the city. This insight has directly shaped our proposed redesign of the service, which will increase provision by 27%.
'The proposal, which is now being discussed with affected colleagues and our trade unions, introduces a team of three librarians led by a principal librarian who will manage the service supported by library assistants based in each of Glasgow's 30 secondary schools. Additionally, the funding available to provide school library books and other resources going forward will remain above the Scottish average.
'Glasgow Life is bound by Glasgow City Council's commitment to no compulsory redundancies. Should the proposal be approved, affected staff will have the opportunity to apply for promoted positions or be redeployed into available vacant roles commensurate with their existing pay and grade.'
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said:
'Glasgow Life manages the city's Secondary School Library Service on behalf of the council. Last year, it began a review and consultation, which highlighted opportunities to redesign the service to increase access to school libraries citywide. Glasgow Life is currently consulting staff and trade unions on its proposals.'
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