Glasgow Life, which operates school libraries on behalf of Glasgow City Council, is currently carrying out a “collective consultation” on those plans, but has failed to complete this process before the school year begins.

In a letter to affected schools, sent the day before pupils return for the new year, headteachers are told that the ongoing situation means that the body has “not been able to recruit for current vacancies” and that this will “have a localised impact in the short term.”

The Herald can confirm that the following schools are affected: Rosshall Academy, Bannerman High School, Hillpark Secondary School, St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Bellahouston Academy, St Paul’s High School, Eastbank Academy, Hillhead High School, Hyndland Secondary School, St Mungo’s Academy, Smithycroft Secondary School, John Paul Academy, All Saints Secondary School, Notre Dame High School, Govan High School, Lochend Community High School.

Despite beginning the new academic year with no allocated staff, the letter to headteachers says that the libraries in affected schools “will be accessible to young people and staff throughout.”

The Herald exclusively reported in June that council budget cuts – voted through by SNP and Green councillors in 2024 – were behind proposals to remove every school librarian in Glasgow in order to save £100,000 per year.

The new model being proposed would maintain the role of “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 the funding cut will increase library services by raising the number of hours in which facilities have some form of staffing.

However, this was rejected by Scotland’s biggest teaching union, which said that the cuts would deliver a “blow to the life chances of students” in Glasgow.

The professional body for librarians also dismissed the claim, arguing that running libraries with “staff at a lower grade” will “diminish the service’s impact severely” and describing the move as “de-professionalisation” which “does not work and does not support pupils effectively.”

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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.

A current librarian in Glasgow previously told The Herald 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 also scrapped the School Library Outreach service, which was described as vital by teachers, and subsequently sold off much of the material it contained.

Speaking to The Herald, EIS Glasgow local secretary Jane Gow slammed plans to remove librarians from schools:

“The EIS is of the firm view that qualified librarians in school libraries are vitally important for the positive impact they have on students’ academic and personal development as is evidenced in its report of April 2025.

“It was documented in an EIS 2024 survey that our librarian colleagues are highly valued by teachers for the structured learning activities they provide for our pupils, their specialist knowledge, and skills along with their support and management of various curricular initiatives and whole school activities. A qualified Librarian is a specialist role which has learning at its core and without staffing, school libraries lose this crucial service. In particular, they are valued for their support of learners with additional support needs, EAL learners and those who require guidance and encouragement to read.

“The EIS view is that to cut qualified librarians from schools is a further blow to the life chances of students, especially those from areas of multiple deprivation and where the promotion of literacy is crucial. That Glasgow has started the academic year with over half its secondary school libraries unstaffed, demonstrates that this new model proposal is having a detrimental effect from the outset.”

In a joint statement also covering Glasgow City Council, a spokesperson for Glasgow Life told The Herald:

“Glasgow Life continues to consult on the proposed redesign of Glasgow’s Secondary School Library Service. When schools return this week, all school library spaces will be accessible to young people and staff. The proposed new model will ensure every school receives a minimum of three days’ library provision each week, with overall provision across Glasgow schools increasing by 27%. The implementation of the new model may have a short-term impact on some school libraries, and we will continue to work closely with affected schools to support local matters and needs.

“When schools reopen on 14 August, 16 secondary schools will temporarily be without librarian cover due to current vacancies. All school library spaces will remain accessible to young people and staff who will be able to use the library resources.

“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.”

Asked to confirm whether a timeline could be provided for the completion of the current consultation, the spokesperson added:

“We continue to consult with affected colleagues and Trade Unions. The timescale is determined as part of the consultation exercise.”