Librarians set to be removed from every Glasgow secondary school

Librarians will be removed from all of Glasgow’s 30 secondary schools next year if council budget cuts are approved.

The plans would see the school service headed up by a principal librarian along with three area-based librarians.

An assistant would then be placed in each of the city’s high schools.

Glasgow Life, which manages the service on behalf of Glasgow City Council, says it would take 16 librarians out of the school system.

In February 2024, the council approved a review of the school library service, with a target saving of £100,000.

Glasgow Life and the council’s education department concluded the greatest savings could be made through changes to staffing services.

However, they insist their plans would increase access to school libraries citywide by 27% by raising the number of hours when facilities have some form of staffing.

A Glasgow Life spokesperson said: “Additionally, the funding available to provide school library books and other resources going forward will remain above the Scottish average.”

The plans have now been communicated to staff and trade unions, with consultations expected to begin.

The spokesperson added: “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.”