Campaigners fighting to save Whiteinch library from closure are heading into their fourth month of read-in protests in a bid to get the venue reopened.

On Saturday, Save Whiteinch Library campaign group hosted their 14th protest with local artist Frank McNab drawing caricatures. The previous week he hung up a painting of the facility that he had been working on since 2013.

In April Glasgow Life said the library, and other facilities elsewhere in the city, would not reopen because “the buildings need significant upgrades in order to make them safe and usable places for communities to visit”.

But in a response to a Freedom of Information request seen by the Post, it admitted that the facility on Victoria Park Drive South was in fact safe before the closure.

Campaigner Maureen Cannell said: “They are not listening or consulting with our community, who want the library retained in its current location.

“Various freedom of information requests contradict the information they have given about the library requiring substantial work to reopen it.

“They have as quoted inaccurate figures about the use of the library. So we continue to protest, as with the other libraries under threat.”

Whiteinch Community Council, which has backed the Save Whiteinch Library campaign, has told the council chief executive Annemarie O’Donnell it is prepared to take the matter to the Court of Session seeking a judicial review of Glasgow Life’s decision.

Campaigners argue the organisation has failed to consult the local community and have raised concerns over equality issues.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “The £100 million funding guarantee from Glasgow City Council will be fully allocated reopening more than 90 venues across the city. Twenty-two libraries across the city have already reopened in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with Parkhead Library reopening today (Tuesday). A further three libraries are due to reopen next month.

“In May, Glasgow City Council passed a motion resolving that all Glasgow Life venues should reopen as soon as funding and Scottish Government guidance allows.

“We recognise the strength of feeling there is about venues without reopening dates but, in the current climate, it’s unrealistic to expect that we can raise significant additional income this year that will support the reopening of venues beyond those we have already announced.

“Should more funding become available, we will then discuss future reopening plans.”