Category: MP

February 2026 Update: Official Response Confirms Many More Months of Waiting

Published 07/02/2026 by Admin Admin

I have now received a formal response via Alison Taylor MP regarding the future of Cardonald Library. A copy of the Glasgow Life reply can be downloaded at the bottom of this post.

The letter, dated January 2025, comes from Glasgow Life and outlines their current plans for the building following the discovery of dangerous RAAC concrete in the roof.

What Does the Document Actually Say?

According to the response:

The library was closed due to safety risks caused by RAAC concrete in the roof.
A structural report has been completed and specialist consultants have been appointed.
Enabling works such as scaffolding and protection measures were planned to begin in early 2025.
The main construction contract is not expected to be awarded until June 2026.
Actual building work is scheduled to begin in July 2026.
There is currently no budget for a temporary replacement library.

In simple terms: although investigations and planning are ongoing, major repair work is not expected to even begin until mid-2026 — more than three years after the library first closed.

What This Means for Cardonald

This timeline is deeply disappointing.

Cardonald Library has now been shut for years. For many residents, it was more than just a place to borrow books. It was:

A community hub
A quiet space for study
A resource for children and families
A lifeline for people without home internet
A safe, welcoming public space

Yet, according to this letter, we looking unliekly to see any real construction work start beofre July— and even longer before reopening.

If work begins in July 2026, completion could easily stretch into 2027 or beyond.

That means a whole generation of local children could grow up without ever using their local library.

No Temporary Solution

Perhaps most worrying is the admission that there is no funding for a temporary replacement library.

Residents are instead directed to Ibrox Library or online services.

While these alternatives are better than nothing, they are not realistic substitutes for many people — especially older residents, parents with young children, or those without easy transport.

A community the size of Cardonald deserves better than “use another area’s library”.

What Happens Next?

The letter promises further updates once contractors are appointed.

That is welcome — but words are no longer enough.

Cardonald Library matters. Our community matters.

Download Glasgow Life Response to Alison Taylor Here [PDF]

What Is Happening with Cardonald Library? [2026]

Published 09/01/2026 by Admin Admin

It has now been over two years since Cardonald Library closed due to concerns around RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete). While the original closure was necessary on safety grounds, the prolonged lack of visible progress since then has become a growing concern for the local community.

This public blog on this issue wht Cardonald Library was published more than a year ago, with hopes that a clear plan and timeline would follow from Glasgow Life. Since then, funding has been granted, which should have marked a significant milestone. However, we are now nearly a year on from funding being agreed, and progress appears slow at best.

The most recent public update — shared via Facebook — states that remedial works could take up to 18 months to complete once work starts on site. This distinction is important. At present, there is no visible evidence of works having commenced on site: no construction activity and no clear start date communicated to residents.

If on-site work has yet to begin, it raises serious questions about the overall timeline. Based on the information currently available, reopening before 2028 increasingly feels optimistic rather than realistic.

What further compounds frustration is the lack of regular, transparent communication. Beyond occasional social media updates, there have been no material public briefings explaining:

when works are expected to start,
what the key stages of the project are,
or when the community can realistically expect the library to reopen.

Libraries are not optional assets. They are vital community spaces that support literacy, digital access, learning, and social connection. Extended closures without clear communication risk eroding public trust and disengaging the very communities these services are meant to serve.

There is also concern around responsiveness and accountability. An email sent to Alison Taylor MP almost a year ago regarding the library has still not received a response. While delays can happen, prolonged silence only reinforces the perception that this issue is not being treated with the urgency it deserves. This is something residents may reasonably reflect on when considering future support for the Labour Party at a local level.

In the coming days, I will be seeking clarity from relevant parties, including local MPs, MSPs, and councillors, and submitting a Freedom of Information request to Glasgow Life to better understand:

the current status of the project,
confirmed timelines,
and the reasons behind the ongoing delays.

We are not asking for the impossible — simply clarity, accountability, and visible progress. Clear timelines, regular updates, and evidence of activity on site would go a long way toward restoring confidence that Cardonald Library will reopen within a reasonable and transparent timeframe.

Until then, the question remains entirely fair:
what is actually happening with Cardonald Library?

Where are our MSPs?

Published 06/02/2025 by Admin Admin

If there was ever a time for our local and regional MSP’s to step up… it could have been now! A bill aptly called “Save Local Libraries”. So how many of our local and regional MSP’s ‘supported’ it? (SPOILER: ONE)

Only ONE person supported it. Paul Sweeney from Labour.

CardonaldLibraryLocalMSPsVotingSaveLocalLibrariesbill

Absolutely astounded by the results of this. Do labour support this cause as a party? Only 20% of them could support this bill?

No Shows for record:

Humza Yousaf – Labour – OUR LOCAL MSP!!!!

Pam Duncan-Glancy – Labour

Pauline McNeill – Labour

Anas Sarwar – Labour

Patrick Harvie – Greens

Sandesh Gulhane – Conservatives

Annie Wells – Conservatives

My Local Labour MP Alison Taylor on Cardonald Library #2

Published 02/02/2025 by Admin Admin

My Local Labour MP Alison Taylor on Cardonald Library #2

I thought I would provide an update to my post in November with my correspondance with my Local MP.

I received an email back in November, but have since not heard a peep in over 2 months.

The original response I received included a letter Alison had received back from Glasgow Life. The letter was dated 3rd October, I received a copy of mid November. The letter advised they were awaiting a funding decision on the library but also hoped a temporary solution could be found. Alison advised she would follow up.

Since then, i have not heard anything. I have emailed 3 times. I asked if she would show support and attend a protest (twice). I also asked if she received a response from Glasgow City Council.

I think its fair to say, I dont expect to have to follow up my MP multiple times. Dissapointing.

Gies Back Our Books Protest – 17th November 2024

Published 22/11/2024 by Admin Admin

Gies Back Our Books Protest – 17th November 2024

There is something heart warming about a community getting behind a common cause for good. I think today probably reinforced to a fair number of folk that it is not just them who miss Cardonald Library, it is many others. I am sure it has raised more awareness to local residents too. I am convinced of this, as I believe the kids there were onto 57 honks from cars by the time we left!

The mission on the facebook is quoted below:

“Driven by the frustration of waiting, waiting & waiting for any sort of communication from Glasgow Life regarding an alternative solution for library provision in Cardonald a few of us, and our incredibly motivated kids, have decided to organise a ‘gie us back our books’ meet on Sunday 17th November at 10am outside Cardonald Library i

-an attempt to make the community’s voice visible & to let those in power know that we need an alternative solution now.

In the spirit of community, solidarity & positivity we would love as many of you to join us.

Bring your banners, good vibes & flasks of tea 😁 & let them know that we will no longer be ignored.

any support would be much appreciated

many thanks

louise

I think it’s fair to say there was definetely a spirit of community, solidarity and positivity.

I will be honest, I was slightly emotional at the turn out and togetherness of the community. With a constant stream of negativity on social media and the press, it was special to see such a crowd turn out in a positive fashion.

I hope this enegisises folk to keep up the good fight, and others to join in. Keep the noise going. Email your MP, MSP, Councillor & and anyone that can help the cause. Any celebs who can weigh in and get it in the news?

I’ve put a selection of photos below. I have tried to keep kids faces out, but if anyone would like blurred etc, let me know.

My Local MP Alison Taylor on Cardonald Library

Published 13/11/2024 by Admin Admin

My Local MP Alison Taylor on Cardonald Library

Prior to the election I emailed candidates from some of the parties about what they would do to support the re-opening of Cardonald Library. This was around mid-June 2024.

I received a positive response from the soon to be elected Labour MP, Alison Taylor.

“property is my background so this sounds a worthy cause to get involved in as I also love reading.”

Alison is a Chartered Surveyor by trade. This hopefully means we have someone qualified in the area that is impacting Cardonald Library. She offered to meet me, if successfully elected.

I sent a congratulatory email on the 5th of July, after the election. I took the opportunity to remind Alison of Cardonald Library. There was no reply, but I did phrase the email to suggest i wasnt expecting a reply at this point.

I have sent a follow up email now (November) to her MP email address (formerly it was her campaign email). In the email i highlighted/asked:

It has been over a year since Cardonald Librarys closure.
What is the current status of Cardonald Library?
What progress she has made along with supporting colleagues since taking office?

I will provide an update when I receive a response.

If you have any communications from your MP/Councillor/Council/Glasgow Life/ Others, please feel free to email me with more information. See the about page.