KNIGHTSWOOD residents will be able to return to their local library in the new year – but people in Whiteinch still don’t know when they’ll be allowed access to their facility.

Glasgow Life has announced plans to reopen 12 libraries across the city as part of a phased approach to bringing community facilities back into use.

The charity says that the library on Dunterlie Avenue in Knightswood – along with those in Anniesland, Cardonald, Castlemilk, Dennistoun, Govanhill, Hillhead, Langside, Pollok, Pollokshields, Riddrie and Springburn – are scheduled to reopen between January and the end of March.

The plans will be dependent on localised infection rates and Glasgow’s level on the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 protection scale.

The facilities will only reopen if Glasgow is in Level 3 or below.

The library on Victoria Park Drive South in Whiteinch – which is part of the city’s community hubs programme, currently under development, along with the facilities in Maryhill, Milton, Parkhead and Baillieston – is not scheduled to reopen in the next phase.

Elsewhere, Drumchapel Library was reopened to the public, with a reduced capacity, in early September.

The facility was closed again when Level 4 restrictions were imposed last month, but following the Scottish Government’s decision last week to move the city back to less strict Level 3 limits, the building, on Hecla Avenue, reopened on Tuesday afternoon.

In West Dunbartonshire, all libraries are closed to the public except for those offering the council’s Book to Borrow service, where residents can choose and order books online and can pick them up from participating libraries or have them delivered to their door.

Councillor David McDonald, depute leader of the council and chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “Taking a phased approach to reopening has allowed Glasgow Life to understand how best to operate our venues in a Covid-19 environment.

“While visits may look a little different as we work to ensure the venues are safe for our staff and visitors, all are welcome to come and use our libraries and benefit from their services.”

Appointments won’t be needed to borrow books at the reopened venues but there may be queues due to restricted numbers. All overdue library fines will be waived until the end of March.

Access to computers and printing will be available as will in-person employability support and financial inclusion advice.