Friday March 13th 2026
Springburn library
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
The empty former Springburn library could be sold to a housing association which has plans to restore public access.
Councillors in Glasgow will be asked to approve off-market talks with NG Homes over the sale of the B-listed library on Ayr Street at a meeting next week.
The housing association wants to “acquire the property to deliver economic and social opportunities for the community”, according to a council report.
It adds this could include “providing office space for a local social initiative, whilst reintroducing access for the public through a variety of innovative projects”.
Communal areas like “a ‘warm space’ drop-in and an events space are also proposed. Officials have reported the council is “keen to ensure the future purposeful use of the building and minimise holding costs on an empty property”.
Built in 1904, the library was most recently leased to the council’s arms-length company Jobs & Business Glasgow but that has now expired.
The council report adds NG Homes would “seek to improve and grow the property as a positive social and economic asset within Springburn and the wider community”.
“It would link with NG homes existing employability and entrepreneurship programmes, to operate as a space for local people thus impacting on community wealth building.”
Officials state: “Together with the reintroduction of public access, the building will include communal areas like a ‘warm space’ drop-in and support multi-cultural, cross-generational projects and the provision of an event space for local external groups.
“NG homes have repeatedly shown success in community regeneration, earning recognition from funders, stakeholders, and residents for their collaborative and innovative programs.”
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