Libraries & Museums

Having worked in partnership successfully on a number of initiatives the council’s Libraries and Culture Sections have amalgamated to form one integrated service - Libraries & Museums.

As part of Educational Services the new service takes the form of three teams:

•  Library Services
•  Learning & Access
•  Arts & Heritage

These teams work in partnership promoting public access to activities, services and events for the whole community. 

The work promoted by staff in Libraries and Museums has been recognised nationally for its high standard and is informed by our four key values:

  Customers comes first

  At the Heart of the Community

  Supporting our Staff

  Promoting access to libraries and culture

Library Services

We run 7 community libraries in West Dunbartonshire. Our Mobile and Housebound Services deliver items to customers who have difficulty in getting to the library. A free request service is provided for any items not readily available on the shelves.

We offer a wide range of items which can be borrowed free of charge from books and talking books to music CDs, children’s DVDs and language packs.

If you are an avid reader and want to share your love of books with kindred spirits then you may want to join one of our Adult Reading Groups which are available in most libraries. We have a large range of activities for children including class visits to libraries, holiday activities, Chatterbook reading groups and author visits We also run author events and talks throughout the year with the highlights being our Booked! Festival which takes place in May.

Learning & Access

If you are interested in learning opportunities or in having access to the internet then we can help; all libraries have learning centres with free broadband internet access and a range of software applications. Dedicated IT trainers deliver courses throughout the year as part of the libraries’ Quest programme.

 
If you have a disability our learning centre computers are designed to be accessible. We can also provide one-to-one training in the use of these facilities.
We cater for all ages - we offer the highly commended Bookbug programme and parents and babies can join in the Time 2 Rhyme sessions.

We also work with local schools and promote a schools visits programme and develop teaching resources linked to the Curriculum for Excellence as well as informal community learning opportunities.

Art & Heritage

We manage Clydebank Museum, and preserve and promote the rich local history through care of the museum collections and archives.

We promote a very popular exhibitions programme in libraries across the authority exhibiting artists both local and from across the UK.

We also have local studies staff who can help you with any enquiries relating to local history or family history research.  Our new heritage facility in Dumbarton Library promotes knowledge and understanding of the history of the town illustrated with images and artefacts from the collections.

Our arts programme includes a youth theatre, arts workshops and concerts during the year.

For further information on all aspects of the Library Service including exciting future developments please click here.

or

Libraries & Museums Headquarters
19 Poplar Road
Broadmeadow Industrial Estate
Dumbarton
G82 2RJ

Tel: 01389 608039 or 01380 772128