Venue Description

The Mitchell Library is a historic ‘A’ listed building and one of Glasgow’s most famous landmarks. Founded in the 19th century, the Library is now the hub of a citywide information service and one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe. The Mitchell Complex houses Archives and Special Collections, in addition to a public lending and reference library including family history department, a conference suite, café-bar, auditorium, 50 public PCs, offices and meeting rooms.

Accessibility

There are accessibility limitations to The Mitchell Library due to the building's design and age. There is an accessible entrance from Granville Street with an easy permanent ramp. This leads to the main foyer, theatre (level access via stage door), community library and well-lit, level café-bar. From the foyer, two passenger lifts (dimensions 110cm x 135cm/ 3ft 7 inches x 4ft 5inch) lead to floors 2-5, which houses the rest of the library. The North Street entrance, Burns and Jeffrey Rooms are not fully accessible due to stairs and lack of lift access.

Accessible Performances

The Mitchell Library is also home to RUVI – the Resource Unit for Visually Impaired People with a range of access technologies including Aladdin and Merlin video magnifiers, hand held magnifiers, ScannaR reading machine and SARA reading machine (with Braille display), Plextalk PTX1 audio book play, JAWS screen reading software, ZoomText magnification software, Kurzwell 1000 scan and read software. If you like more information or would like to arrange a visit, please contact the venue for further information.

Awards List

Customer Service Excellence accreditation

Toilets

Are located on the ground floor with baby changing facilities - one adjacent to café, one behind the main information desk at Granville Street and one in the corridor connecting the North Street and Granville Street sides of the venue. All accessible toilets have lowered sinks, pull cord alarm and lever operated taps. Please note that there are no accessible toilets on the upper floors of the venue.

Staff

Our staff are friendly and welcoming and have received Glasgow Welcomes and disability awareness training. Please contact the venue in advance of visits, particularly if attending events or festivals, in order that we can provide you with the most up to date information and access guidance. For theatre events with unreserved seating - priority seating in the front of the auditorium is available on request for patrons for those with accessibility requirements, please advise venue staff on arrival if this would be of assistance.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Kelvingrove Park is ten minutes walk from the venue.

Other assistance dog facilities

We welcome assistance dogs and offer water and bowl available on request.