Other InformationStirling's Library was funded by a bequest from Glasgow merchant Walter Humphrey Stirling. When he died unmarried in 1791 he left his 804 books, his house in Miller Street and £1000 to establish a free library. Initially the books were for reference only and available only to subscribers. By 1885 the collection had been added to by further donations and amounted to 50,000 volumes. In 1871 Stirling's Library merged with this to form "Stirling's and Glasgow Public Library". In 1954 Stirling Library took up the main hall at the Royal Exchange building on Queen Street, with "The Commercial Library", formed in 1916, occupying the basement. The Commercial Library met the information needs of local industry and commerce. The Stirling Library stayed here for 40 years, before being moved back to Miller Street whilst this building was converted into the Gallery of Modern Art. The basement here was initially used as gallery space when GoMA opened in 1996, but in 2002 Stirling Library was moved back into this space in the Royal Exchange building, becoming the "Library at GoMA".
Other InformationStirling's Library was funded by a bequest from Glasgow merchant Walter Humphrey Stirling. When he died unmarried in 1791 he left his 804 books, his house in Miller Street and £1000 to establish a free library. Initially the books were for reference only and available only to subscribers. By 1885 the collection had been added to by further donations and amounted to 50,000 volumes. In 1871 Stirling's Library merged with this to form "Stirling's and Glasgow Public Library". In 1954 Stirling Library took up the main hall at the Royal Exchange building on Queen Street, with "The Commercial Library", formed in 1916, occupying the basement. The Commercial Library met the information needs of local industry and commerce. The Stirling Library stayed here for 40 years, before being moved back to Miller Street whilst this building was converted into the Gallery of Modern Art. The basement here was initially used as gallery space when GoMA opened in 1996, but in 2002 Stirling Library was moved back into this space in the Royal Exchange building, becoming the "Library at GoMA".