I joined the Mitchell Library last week (photo ID and a utility bill will do the trick) and look forward to availing of their PCs for free internet access, and maybe downloading a few ebooks to my tablet/ereader. I rather fancied some of the nicely presented salads and sandwiches coming out of the Mitchell's cafe, but as it wasn't lunch o'clock I didn't bite. Last year I attended a talk by AC Grayling in the comfortable and perfectly formed lecture theatre (part of the Aye Write Festival I think), and more recently was blown away by the George Wyllie Retrospective. The world could do with more George Wyllies! His sculptures, installations, art and poetry are enough to make a career curmudgeon smile. I think the exhibition is running for a few more months yet. Go there! If you have just half an hour to spare, do step into the permanent puppet exhibition to the right of the main reception desk. Some of those puppets are over a thousand years old and hail from all corners of the world. They don't seem to mind if you want to snap away and take photos. Would definitely recommend a visit to the Mitchell Library. Oh, and they have lots of books too. read more

Mitchell Library - The World Through Wooden Eyes. Mitchell Library's permanent puppet exhibition. Sweet. - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Up there with the best that Glasgow has to offer on the arts and culture front. An awesome choice of books for leisure, academic facilities and IT on offer as well as various exhibitions held over the year. I was here today (25/06) for the Scotch Whisky Association's exhibition, which was first class. Detail on the making of and maturation of Scotland's various whiskies as well as the history of branding, advertising and marketing of the sweet stuff. Highly recommended AND it's free! read more

Mitchell Library - At the Scotch whisky exhibit. So much detail on everything about our national drink. - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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Since having my little boy I've been at the Mitchell Library almost every week and it's wonderful to have this building so close by. I've always found the staff friendly and helpful, happy to order in books or track them down at other local libraries if you're in a rush. We went to free bounce & rhyme classes here (on Monday's at 10.30am) for the best part of a year and they are brilliant. Think songs, nursery rhymes and stories for kids that can be quiet interactive. The people who take the class are lovely and the people who attend are too, lots of people stick around after wards for coffee and cake in the cafe. The staff in the cafe are also nice offering to put drinks in take away cups when there are babies / toddlers about. The library also hosts numerous book events through out the year with some well known authors giving talks etc in their large auditorium. The ground floor, where the cafe is and the kids books, can get very busy as there are always lots of people using the computers on this floor. I actually like seeing so many people in using the library, so seeing it so busy makes me smile. You can also research your family tree (for free) or look up old maps and property information in the reference library. So there's lots and lots to do. Add to take how beautiful the building is, particularly when it's lit up at night and you have a building that deserves to be at the heart of the city. read more

Hello, my name is Katie, and I have a Mitchell Library addiction. Why? Because it's beautiful. And huge. And useful. And warm. And the biggest reference library in Europe. The Mitchell Library is a very large impressive building on the outskirts of the city centre. It's actually located just by the Kelvingrove junction of the M8 - and if you're approaching it from there you'll probably be interested to know that there is parking at the library - although it is pay & display only. Inside the library, you'll find all sorts of arty types along with students, mums and children. In fact, the majority of people are there to take advantage of the free wifi, which is available all throughout the building. As well as reference sections on pretty much everything you could need to know, there's also a cafe, a theatre, conference rooms, computer rooms and exhibition space. At the moment they have a photographic exhibition of Israeli and Palestinian photographs, which is definitely worth a bit of a gander. In conclusion - I love this place, and you should too. read more

Mitchell Library - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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I like big books and I cannot lie... I especially like The Mitchell Library but don't visit it often enough. It is such a beautiful building and I like how you can see it from the motorway as you drive past, and it's especially worth a look at night time when it's all lit up. I popped in last week to visit a temporary exhibition of Harry Potter illustrations by Jim Kay. The gentleman at the front desk gave me detailed instructions how to find it (it was at the back of the library, close to the Granville St entrance) but sadly when I arrived, the exhibition had been taken down. (I found out later that apparently it got damaged so ended early). So I ended up not staying for long as that was the only reason I was visiting on this occasion! Coming up is the annual Aye Write Book Festival, and some events are taking place here. If you've never been to the Mitchell Library, I'd definitely recommend a visit - I mean sure, it's a library but a lovely building to explore! Note: There's also a cafe inside, the Herald Cafe Bar, in case you're looking for food! It's easily accessible by train as the Charing Cross Train Station is about 2 minutes walk away, or you can park in the nearby streets (metered). read more

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I love it in here so much. I'm so happy the Aye Write! festival is here. I've booked in for some classes and going to listen to one of my favourite spoken word poet tonight too. I love the old rooms with stain-glass windowed doors and dark wood panelling. The black and white checkered floor really adds to that feeling of history. But this also blends really well with the new part of the library, which has a cafe, yay! They do these amazingly soft millionaires shortbread, which if you don't eat immediately and instead leave them half eaten inside your handbag, will become caramel goo in it's bag but still very tasty! They have great Waterstones pop up stores featuring books by all the authors giving talks, great to have a browse while waiting for the next session. Parking is actually quite easy, I haven't struggled at all even though it's busy thanks to the festival and the staff have all been so friendly and helpful. read more

Mitchell Library - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Set in a b-e-a-utiful old building, the public Mitchell library is home to loads of books (it contains the largest public reference library in Europe, with 1,213,000 volumes, impressive or what?!). Not only is it a library - it has conference rooms available for hire (night classes, day care, and other speaking events are held here alone) - it also has a cafe, and a small theatre at the back in which companies can hold events - I was recently there as a spectator of the Glasgow Uni dance society's end of year show. Such a lovely, big place - you could most definitely get lost in it. read more

Mitchell Library - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Utterly massive, and very impressive from the outside, the Mitchell is Europe's largest public reference library, and I visited here in a panic once when my uni library had ran out of a few books i needed. Unfortunately they didn't have them. Any of them. In the biggest library in Europe. It doesn't look half as nice inside, either. read more

Mitchell Library - from official website - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

What a great place. I can't believe I never visited this place while I was at Uni. I ventured in yesterday because I was in search of a good book to read. First, I went in through the front door, which doesn't really get you anywhere. The porter was very friendly and asked where I'd like to go. Um. Fiction? He gave me directions and about mid-way en route, I thought I was going the wrong way because I had stumbled upon the Businesses at the Mitchell office. A kind woman, on the phone at the time, beckoned me through the door (I must have had that confused look on my face), and when I stepped fully into the area, I saw the stairs I was looking for! Downstairs in the Leisure area, I was astonished at what I saw. Books, and further along, a cafe! and next to that were rows and rows of computers. The place was bustling and energetic. I felt instantly at home. Turns out I no longer have a library card, so I had to apply for one. However, it took about 60 seconds to do, and then I was set! I checked out one book, and learned quickly that you can renew your books online, without having to come back to the library. Aces! I was well-impressed with the place. It's the a library, run like a business, run like a library. Perfect! read more

Mitchell Library - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Now I want to preface this by saying that libraries are useful to me for very specific reasons. I am a student so basically I want my library to be: -quiet -comfortable -well lit -ample personal study space -wifi enabled with lots of power outlets for laptops -easy and cheap access to printers The Mitchell does offer a few of these things - its generally a nice place to sit and study, and one can usually find a spot on the computers or among the stacks to read. Printing services are pretty good - I believe its 10p for a black and white page which is acceptable. As for a reliable wifi connection or a place to plug in your laptop - good luck! I live across the street and get a better wireless signal from my own flat. I cannot understand how in the year 2012 the largest public library in the largest city in Scotland cannot figure out how to get wifi on more than 2 floors... In my humble opinion (and it is only that) this is not a world class library, and I would be ashamed to call it one of the best in Europe. I have seen at least 5 better libraries at my previous University campus back home in Canada, granted these were libraries geared towards the needs of students - I don't mean to gloat :P I cannot speak for its use as a reference library (which I hear it is great for) or as a performance venue (also seems to be popular for such events) And I'm sorry but what kind of library IS NOT OPEN ON SUNDAY! When else do you think people who work/go to school during the week are going to have a chance to get down to use the place!? read more

It pains me to do this... Right, so here goes. I take the wean brain to nursery and need a nearby joint to continue fighting the good Yelp fight and taking the word to the street (word). My brain instantly pinpoints the Mitchell and off I pops. On arrival, said brain taps me on the shoulder and announces that should I require sufficient noggin power to operate at more than browsing level, then coffee may (nay must) be ingested. So, to the coffee bar I go for a broon juice jolt. First boo coming. The line was big, but dealt with quickly. On ordering I was informed that they had no lids for takeaway. Not a big problem to be honest, but kinda shoddy. Worst of all though is the coffee being served minus lid. It's shoddy at best. Not the kinda stuff that should be served for human consumption and left me ruing the decision not to hit CC&T before I popped in here. Next up, I flung myself in the lift and ventured to the fourth floor where the wifi is historically more reliable. Upon unloading all the gear that comes with working out of office, I spent 10mins trying to log in before venturing to the desk to be informed that the wifi on 4 has been down all day... whit, nae sign? Nothing to tell us that afore we waste 10/15 mins? Ok, so gear packed up and I head downstairs. Upon arrival I'm met with several of the reasons as to why I always head to the fourth. The place is packed and the seating available seems to have been designed to keep laptop users away. Either that or they have a deal struck with the local chiropractor. It's either laptop on yer lap (neck destroying option), or on a breakfast bar type set up with stools that are at least a foot too short, resulting in you looking like a wean and feeling like a dork. So, i take the breakfast bar and BOOM, strike three occurs. Wifi allows me to log in, but then spends the next 10 mins chucking me off, letting me on, chucking me off, letting... you get the point. So here I am now, sitting in Starbucks and cursing the shoddy wifi at the Mitchell for driving me into big bucks busom of the beast. Don't get me wrong, the Mitchell has a charm that v few public buildings offer. But the usability of it? Questionable. read more

From the friendly security guard on the door, I must admit that I was bound to like the Mitchell. It's a really impressive UK central library, now become even more impressive by renovation and expansion. While it's not got a massive leisure section, what they have is nice and well-kept. Most particularly brilliant, they now lend some of their academic texts that were formerly reference only, which is quite nice for those of us whose university is four hours south. Having come from Birmingham, where the central library is dour Soviet-bloc (and similar in lending habits--nothing out after the main floor), even the older decor on the upper levels seems welcoming and friendly. It also smells of library. Oh, and there's a nice-looking, spacious new cafe and computer workspace on the ground floor. Before you ask, no, I didn't have a chance to get a latte, but I'll have to have a go the next time. read more

I often go to the Mitchell Library to use the photocopier or to use reference books. The downstairs is quite often busy and full so l always head to the fourth floor. There is a cafe on the main floor but often busy and you have to queue for service. Some staff are grumpy just depends what day you get them on (not cafe). Phones are constantly ringing and there seems to be no one there to answer them so you never get peace and quiet like the old days. Lot of rude graffiti upstairs in the toilet walls that makes good reading if you like a laugh need's painting over. read more

After four years at university in Glasgow, the fact that the very first time I ever stepped into the Mitchell Library was at the end of my final year kind of says it all about my lack of hard work. Yes, instead of managing my time properly and completing my dissertation in sizeable chunks throughout the year, it became a dreadful last minute panic and I ended up turning to the Mitchell Library for help. The Mitchell is a big library. There are several different floors stacked with books, books and more books. There are even elevators for those who can't be bothered with the walk up the stairs. There are plenty of computers available for use on the bottom floor as well as all of the books, plus several quiet rooms ideal for studying and a section with all of the day's newspapers availible to read for free. In terms of the book selection there is a wide range of various genres and subjects, but I still felt somewhat disappointed. The library looks huge from the outside and is supposedly the biggest one in Europe, so although there are a lot of books, you would still expect there to be more for a place of its size. There is a lot of space between the shelves as well, so it isn't as if each floor is absolutely jam-packed with shelves upon shelves like you would expect it to be. My favourite thing about the Mitchell is the archive newspaper microfilms which are available to view up close in special machines. With copies of most British newspapers from every day stretching back over the past couple of decades, this is a most interesting feature. There are copies of the Herald, Daily Record and Sunday Post from every day stretching right back into the early-1960s and possibly even further. This proved to be a godsend for me when I was writing my dissertation, which looked at the subculture surrounding early rock 'n' roll music. I was able to use this facility to find some news reports of the 'mods versus rockers' riots on Brighton Beach in 1964, which proved to be very valuable material for my work. The staff at the Mitchell were also very helpful towards me, allowing me to find what I was looking for much quicker. The Mitchell is slightly outdated with its far from modern facilities, and it is not quite as well-stocked as one might have hoped. However there are still many good points about it. I feel that I must still award it four stars because above all, if it wasn't for the Mitchell, I would have no dissertation, no degree and ultimately no reason to exist. read more

Just back from the Mitchell library , for a morning meeting I forgot how awesome the place is. Arn't we lucky in this county to have do many free quality places to visit. Whilst I was there took the opportunity to avail myself of the free wifi.That got me thinking about the other free places to visit,so that's my weekend sorted think the People's Palace is on the cards for Saturday. With the winter approaching fast I am making a list of places to visit all over Glasgow,just to remind me of what this great city has to offer. When I was younger that's all we did during our holidays looking forward to it . Cheers read more

You know what It's a stunning building outside, during the day you get to stand back and enjoy the magnificence of its architecture In the evening the wonderful spectrum of colours used to illuminate the many angles and crevasse only add to its spectacular dominance of This area of Glasgow Inside the main hall is just as wonderful to gaze upon ..... And this is where it stops being great As a library .... It's dreadful, from its very uninspiring drab rooms and shelving To the poor structure of the literature The woeful attitude of some of the team when you ask to help..... It's like you have just been invited in to their home and done a piss in their bath.... While they are in it As a building its inspiring As a library it's awful read more

What an amazing place the Mitchell is. Nice big café and some decent basic food. A great place just to hang out for a while with a coffee and a book. read more

The building is truly epic but the interior is a mishmash of different areas layered into one another. This can be done well but the interior is all over the place. seventies looking rug in part and modern open area with cafe in another. It's also quite mazelike and I'm not sure how to see all of the building. The book selection seems rather small for such a huge library and I think people use it more as a study area or for the wifi. The staff were kind and helpful. I wouldn't go out of my way to go to this particular library but it was nice to see. Also the kids area is incredibly cramped. read more

Easily, by no Shadow of doubt, my favourite building in Glasgow. It reeks of charm and when illuminated at night has an eerie awe that is so often lacking in the buildings of today. Established and named after one of Glasgow's many tobacco merchants, the Mitchell is the jewel in he crown of Glasgow architecture (in my most humble of opinions). It is also one of Europe's largest reference libraries...which is great if you lie books and that sort of thing! The cafe in the Mitchell is ace and does and absolutely banging fry up which comes with change of a 5er! A little in no mans land though but worth the effort to get to it. I've only been in to study a couple of times and the study rooms are seriously dingy little spaces. I left like I was sitting in some kind of weird 1970s prison. So the inside isn't for me, though the corridors are lovely! A good place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, or if you need a change from your usually university library. Or just to marvel in its wonder from the outside...that it good enough for me. read more

I first ventured into the library when I was broke, had no internet or telly in the flat. In my spare time I am bit a of a whisky geek. (I'm lying I'm a massive geek). I wanted to read one book which is on the production of the water of life and had no idea to start - it is the biggest reference library in Europe! Luckily the staff were patient and helpful, soon I had my book and library card. I read for hours and left pleased that institutions like this one still exist. From the outside, this is easily one of the most impressive buildings in Glasgow especially if you are passing at night. Inside, the interior is a little dated but I can live with that. Downstairs there is a cafe and more computers for public use than you can shake a stick at. So get yourself down, take your laptop and use the wifi or even better get one of the books and take advantage of this fantastic resource! read more

The Mitchell staff are always friendly. Cafe staff are so friendly and welcoming while also being amazing at their job. I love the new computer space, the many spaces given over to Scottish fiction and books on Glasgow, the archive section and the fact that the third floor still looks like it's decked out in 70s decor. I feel so at home here, never have a problem getting a computer and the staff are always helpful when I forget my library card (which is often, sorry guys). Awesome, awesome, awesome! read more

Awesome like a possum. A huge building with appoximately 99 and a half million billion (roughly) books inside, with many of them being reference books. While this clearly bothers some people, not I. Part of the experience of getting books from libraries for me is reading them inside the actual library, not just grabbing them and running off. Particularly given the grand-scale loveliness of this place, I am all for committing time to being in this place. Free wifi is also a bonus. A welcome alternative to my usual libraries, but one which I rarely find the time to go to. read more

The Mitchell Libaray is a stunning building sporting a distinctive copper dome near Charing Cross in Glasgow. It is a vast building spaning five floors and housing a huge referance section containing over one million volumes, the largest in Europe. The libaray is also home to specilist collections such as the Glasgow collection which gives in insite into times gone by in the city and the Poor Law arcives which tell many stories, many funny, sad or tradgic. I spent ages going though these. The library also boasts a cafe so when you need a break there is somewhere to go to recharge your batteries before absorbing more knowledge. Lovely place, wish I had more time to visit more often. read more

A beautiful building well worth a visit if you are a visitor to the city of Glasgow to see its splendour. Also a great reference library for those researching projects and studying at college or university. It has a small lending section but you are still sure to find something you want. The IT centre offering Internet access and cafe is lovely in a bright street level area of the library. read more

A fantastic library where I can research both literature and use either my own computer or one of the on site ones. Open, spacious and with a relaxed modern atmosphere, few libraries in Scotland can match this building, it's content or the quality of it's staff. However, it does have an Encore cafe, that while competitively priced, does not deliver a high enough standard of catering. Too much salt and spices used in the food. For a quick coffee or sandwich to feed the brain while you work, great. Not so good for a social setting. read more

Mitchell Library - Libraries Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Great building with lots of nice spaces inside. Unfortunately the wifi is utter SHITE so cannot recommend this place at all if you are looking for a spot to work on your laptop. read more

I visited the Mitchell Library last night, well actually the Mitchell Theatre housed within the Library. To attend an Aye Write session with Gregor Fisher who has recently published his Autobiography with the assistance of Melanie Reid the Evening Times Columnist. Below is a synopsis of the book The warm, funny memoir of Gregor Fisher, the much loved Scottish actor best known for Rab C. Nesbitt, told as he uncovers his dramatic family history. Growing up in the Glasgow suburbs, Gregor was 14 when he asked where he was christened and was told that he was adopted. But it wasn't quite that simple. And so began an unfolding of truths, half-truths and polite cover-ups from his various families. In 2014 Gregor approached Times columnist Melanie Reid to help him tell his story. Together they travelled through the mining villages of central Scotland to uncover the mystery of his birth and early life. What emerged was a story of secrets, deception, tragic accidents and early death, coldness and rejection from the very people who should have cherished him most, but a welcome from the most unexpected of quarters. From the squalor of industrial Coatbridge after WW1 to his own 1950s Glasgow childhood, via a love letter found in the wallet of a dead man and meeting his sister outside lost luggage at Glasgow Central, Gregor shares his family story with warmth and blunt Scottish humour . This is my first time at one of these events and I certainly would recommend attending one. Gregor is a very good Racounter and he was ably assisted with some memoir reminders from Melanie, through writing such a poignant story together it was easy to see they had a great mutual respect of each other. There was a Young Gentleman who interviewed them( Did not catch his name as we were a few minutes late) for about thirty minutes and then he opened questions open to the audience, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Theatre was almost full, we were a very reserved audience and it took a few prompts before someone asked a question, gregor was very free with his answers but I felt he held a little bag teasing us into buying the book, and why not. The evening ended with Gregor explaining that Waterstone's were in the foyer and himself & Melanie would be signing copies of the book, he informed us of this in true Rab C. Nesbit style and like most of the evening brought a great laugh from the audience. It would seem to the onlooker that Gregor Fisher had a miserable first four years of life he did not see it like that and had a very happy childhood with his second set of Adoptive Parents. I did not purchase a book last night but I will be downloading a copy of it to my reader soon read more

I have to say the Mitchell is a really grand building that Glasgow should be very proud off. I've visited here when I've been unemployed, on my work breaks or when I was studying in which case I found the books on offer to be very helpful and informative. A great place to do a bit of research or for some casual browsing. read more

I grew up in the shadow of the Mitchell and went to work there in my first job so have a great affection for the place. Absolutely stunning lit up at night. Just wish the surroundings matched the splendour - it's slap bang in front of the M8! (typical Glasgow planning blunder!) The Mitchell is particularly popular with people researching their family tree and Glasgow history. Great new cafe which serves reasonably priced soups, sandwiches and other snacks. The Mitchell is a reference library but there is also a branch lending library in the Berkeley St. side of the building. read more

The Mitchell library is a lovely building in the centre of Glasgow. Unfortunately, it's position adjacent to the M8 motorway means it's surroundings are a bit less attractive! Collections include a wide variety of subjects. As an environment to work in, it is absolutely excellent; there is plenty of space where you can hole yourself up for an entire day with no distraction. A cafe in the building provides refreshments if necessary. Transport to the site is slightly difficult, due to it's position; a short walk from Sauchiehall St, it is probably easiest accessed via the city centre. read more

One of the largest reference libraries in Europe housed within a beautiful building just off Charing Cross. With over 5 floors of books, you oculd easily spend a whole day in here just pottering about picking up bits of knowledge. The library also houses the newly rennovated Mitchell Theatre, where you can see theatre and dance performances in the evening and is host to many writers and speakers throughtout Glasgow's annual Aye Write! Festival. The theatre is next to the Herald Cafe Bar which serves a range of tasty sandwiches, full meals and beverages and it is even licensed. It's always busy during the day with mobile workers on their laptops and students taking a break for sustenance. Free internet access is also available for an hour with a valid library card. read more

Excellent place for research, especially Glasgow orientated, helpful staff, space to work..

In my opinion one of the nicest looking buildings in the centre of Glasgow. It's a fantastic reference library where there's not much you can't find. You could spend the full day just looking around. It also has nice cafe where you can just sit and have a break. Great for anyone researching a project. read more

5 stars for bothering to have a library, however, not nearly enough of their books are out on display, and stupid policy of taking old texts off the shelf. thing is, older books often have very interesting things in them that prove some stuff in newer books is a pile of shite and not true. anyway imagine a library that is prejudiced against old books. computer bit is usually too noisy to do any work or reading, and despite there being computers on other floors - they actually, seriously, have MUSIC PRACTICE IN THE LIBRARY plus hold things like rehersals for plays, where you can hear the booming through the entire building. do they really not have in glasgow, anywhere to practice music and drama that is specific to those things. why are they using a library. i've been here countless times - if it isn't someone playing videos or music out loud on the computers, they are talking loud in the reading areas, on their phones in the reading area, or there's the out-loud music practice and drama crap going on, they wear headphones you can hear across the room, their children are shouting, and then often there's some stinking perfume poisoning the air so you can't breathe either. libraries are for READING BOOKS IN. if they want to let people watch videos etc on the ground floor then they need to ensure the other floors are free from noise and also have breathable fresh air in them. & enough computers to use. (not all of us can afford a new laptop etc capable of surfing todays badly-coded advert-intense bloatware-full webpages, plus i get major headaches from wi-fi and mobile phones (it was proven they cause cancer before they became popular..and they use the same tech as microwave ovens use to cook) so i wouldn't ever use that anyway. don't bother thinking this is made up, i have a good degree in computer networking, wi-fi and 2g does fry biology. it vibrates your cells if you are in line of someone else's connection to their device, not just from using it yourself. heat is molecules vibrating. it's ridiculous how right as they in general banned smoking in loads of places - the use of mobile devices went sky high. so they just replaced lung cancer with brain cancer. plus the fact that they allow 200+ toxins to be added to tobacco, making it far more dangerous than it actually is when it's unadulterated normal tobacco) there is so much space in the building not being used as a library. computers are meant to compliment the info available in books and magazines, not replace it. ever notice how the conspiracy in general always gets rid of libraries and old books. read more