Celebrating 100 years of Partick Library
Written by Bryony Chapman.
Bryony is a library assistant at Partick library who is currently undertaking her CILIP Certification after having just completed her MSc in Museum Studies. She is passionate about involving young people in the heritage sector and about initiatives that connect the local community to the library.
On the 5th of June 1925, the neighbourhood of Partick saw the opening of its newest library. Partick Library is commemorating its centenary this year and in combination with celebratory events, we are having a look back at the history of the library and the town around it.
With everything from history talks to author visits and cake cutting, all are welcome at Partick Library, so please feel free to join us on the 5th of June 2025.
Partick Through the Decades
As Partick Library reaches its 100th anniversary, we are looking back at how the library has changed over the years. The library stands as a pillar of Partick, welcoming all, changing with the times and adapting to fit the needs of the local community. The library has stood strong through refurbishments, global pandemics and even the prohibiting of stiletto heel shoes to save the linoleum flooring.
1920s
Partick Library opened its doors on the 5th of June 1925, housing 11,000 volumes and costing £23,616. The library was recognised for its brightness, something that is still true today with many visitors commenting on the light that streams in throughout.
This was not the first time a public library in the burgh of Partick had been proposed. In July 1902 Dr. Andrew Carnegie offered £10,000 for the erection of a new public library, however, after a few years of deliberation, in January 1904 the town council rejected the proposal. Yet in 1925, Partick finally got its long-awaited library with one of the largest general reading rooms of all the district libraries at the time and all the latest devices for deadening sounds from the street outside.
The library’s opening was celebrated with talks from the local councillors, the lord provost and the local Reverend. A menu of tongue sandwiches, petit fours, and tea and coffee was also provided to commemorate the momentous day.
It was also during the year 1925 that Kelvin Hall, located on Argyle Street, burned down. This was reopened two years later in 1927 by King George V. At the time, the newly opened Kelvin Hall boasted the largest concrete roof, with a carriage entrance and tea rooms.
1930s – 1940s
Partick during the war was affected by its proximity to Clydebank. The 1941 Clydebank Blitz saw shipyards and industrial sites bombed with areas near and in Partick being suffering extensive damage. Peel Street, Hayburn Street, and Crow Road all saw bombing attacks, killing 50 people.
1950s – 1960s
At the beginning of the 1950s, the Partick Camera Club was formed and in 1955 set about making a photographical survey of Glasgow. 86 photographers over ten different Glasgow camera clubs took 600 photographs. They were then displayed in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
On the 25th of March 1963, the libraries committee approved a modernisation scheme for Partick Library. This involved the improvement of lighting and heating, along with the refurnishing of all public rooms. This began in the summer of 1963 and was fully completed by early 1966 with the library having its re-opening on the 24th of February 1966. The old tiled dado on the walls was replaced with limba and oak panels and linoleum with an “Amourtile” design placed on the floor. Silence was also no longer enforced within the library creating a relaxed but engaging atmosphere. Partick Library also saw the prohibiting of stilettoed shoes during the 1960s due to the damage it was causing to the new flooring. Signs were displayed asking the public to kindly co-operate.
1970s – 1980s
Partick Library saw a switch to a computerised library system in June 1976 following the opening of Hillhead Library in October 1975. The opening of Hillhead Library saw Partick fall from the third busiest Glasgow library to the seventh. However, loan periods were extended in the early 70s, which encouraged readers back into libraries and saw more community engagement.
In 1987, the Partick Fair society was formed, with the first fair taking place in 1988. Partick Library saw involvement in this 1988 fair with several of the planned events taking place in the library. With badgemaking, puppet shows, and story times, Partick Library was fully immersed in the community.
1990s – 2000s
Rats we
re the problem of the 1990s just as they are today. News headlines read ‘Partick Streets Plagued By Rats – Mums and kids are “terrified”’. The library itself became heavily involved in the 2000s with local schools and families, throwing events such as ‘the Klingons Visit Partick’, Darth Vader visits, and author events.
2018 saw the second refurbishment of Partick Library. A new mezzanine was added, providing a new computer area. The junior area was revamped and given a bright, colourful new look with Glasgow Libraries’ first ‘Sensory Nook’. The library opened back up in December 2019 but then closed again swiftly after in March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was finally reopened following new COVID-19 measures in August 2020.
Partick Library now stands firm in the heart of the community, welcoming people from all cultures, ages, and backgrounds. The library is honoured to have served the community for 100 years and looks forward to seeing what the next 100 bring.