West Dunbartonshire Libraries
Dumbarton’s new public library, which cost around £10 million to move from Strathleven Place to Glencairn House in Dumbarton High Street. A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council, who refuse to speak to The Dumbarton Democrat, has issued the following statement: “We can’t wait to show you the new-look library and museum in Glencairn House, which opens on 10th August. To prepare for the move, the current library will close at 5 pm on Friday 17th July.
“Our mobile library will be on site at the current library building to offer browsing, borrowing, returns and requests at the following times:
Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd July from 9.30 am to 12 pm
Tuesday 28th July 9.30 am to 4 pm
Thursday 6th August from 9.30 am to 12 pm
A Council spokesperson said: “You can borrow and return books at any West Dunbartonshire library; see www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/libraries for opening times and locations.
“A returns drop box will be available outside the current Dumbarton library building for any books you would like to return.
“Please don’t worry about overdue items as we will automatically extend the due date for books due during the moving time. And remember, we don’t charge late fees!
“Thank you for your patience and understanding during the move.”
Top of page: Front and back view of the new library at Glencairn House which has been modernised using part of a £20 million Conservative government “levelling up” grant for the Town Centre
* The reason we were banned from speaking to their Communications staff is that we asked the then Provost if the sound in the chamber could be turned up so that the press and public could hear what was being said at council meetings in the chamber.
The Council claimed we had interrupted a meeting, which isn’t true. We approached the Bench at the lunch adjournment. That was six years ago. The Council has refused to change their decision despite being approached to rectify their mistake on a number of occasions since then. EDITOR
The library had a council sign back in summer 2025 saying opening soon. It’s summer 2026 and still not open. Another project very late and no doubt well over budget.
And while we are on the subject what about the Artisan Way debacle. Just how long did it take to do a bit of demolition and at what cost before leaving tbe town centre like a bomb site? Another late and utterly shoddy shambles.
Or the new relief road at Milton. How late is this? How over budget is this? Could the price have more than doubled? And are the council having to chop bits of the project because they have run out of money? Promises not delivered. Monstrous delays and soaring costs. No wonder they don’t speak to The Democrat. And they say they are short of cash.
Dumbarton didn’t need a new library. Could the money not have been used to save Balloch library? The Artizan Centre needed upgraded, but the new library seem to have no parking provision, and whoever chose those tiles doesn’t have good taste or is colour blind!
Alison, you mention the porcelain tiles. I think you would be absolutely astoundec if you knew.what the costs of these tiles were. Maybe you should ask thd question but can I suggest that a million would not look at them.
And being utterly bespoke to reflect an arists sentiments of how the turquoise green specially made tiles form an esoteric continumn with the river and the glass making of the past, you might want to ask the more down to earth question of how you replace a cladding tile if it gets broken. ( clue – do you have to take a whole sectiin of the wall cladding down along with , part of the roof and 2) try to find s9meone who can make these bespoke tiles )
Als9 maybe divide the cost of the library by the aquare footprint area of the building and whats the cost? More than the Guggenheim – i jest not. Someonevshould ask,
Nothing but the b3st for the Poor Toon. But ask, find out.