Locals have hailed £4m makeover of historic Glasgow building

Elder Park Library, which dates back to 1903, reopened in June following a refurbishment project which was first approved by the council in 2022.

The upgrades include a full refurbishment of the interior and exterior, a new community kitchen, more toilets, improved baby changing facilities, and more bookable areas for people to use.

Elder Park library opening in 1903 (Image: Newsquest) Community groups and schoolchildren were invited to the new-and-improved Elder Park Library and Community Hub, on Wednesday for an official reopening ceremony.

READ MORE: Historic Glasgow building to reopen after £4 million transformation project

Glasgow Life's Bailie Annette Christie then cut the ribbon and unveiled a plaque outside the historic building. 

The project, in partnership with Elderpark Housing Association, made significant improvements to the A-listed building to make it more accessible, and sustainable and ensure it best meets the needs of the local community.

(Image: Newsquest)

Among those making use of the new-look facility is Impact Arts, an arts organisation that helps to transform lives through creative activities.

They set up a 'Craft Café' arts programme at the hub to support local people aged 60 and over to improve their wellbeing and combat loneliness.

This runs on Tuesdays (11am to 4pm), Wednesdays (10am to 2pm) and Thursdays (11am to 4pm).

Charlotte Craig (left), Lead Tutor at Impact Arts’ Craft Café at Elder Park Library and Community Hub, with Fiona Doring, Impact Arts’s Chief Executive Officer. (Image: Kris Kesiak)

Angela Smith, who is the programme manager at Impact Arts, said: “The Craft Café members are very impressed by the newly renovated building.

"It’s light and comfortable. It’s a hub for the community and we foresee many exciting new links and relationships will be developed as a result of being based in the library building.

“We are sure we’ll have many happy years working in this building. The library will allow us to continue our programme in a welcoming space in the heart of Govan. The size of the room will allow us to invite visiting artists in and host showcase events in the future.

“The setting and the grandeur of the building is impressive. The library will allow us to continue running essential provision for older people.”

Environmental charity Urban Roots is using the new kitchen space for a lunch club and monthly community meals to promote healthy eating and connect people living nearby. 

Julia Boswell (Image: Kris Kesiak) Julia Boswell, food and health coordinator at Urban Roots, said: “We were in Elder Park Community Centre before, and we’ve been using the new space.

"It’s a really nice building and there are nice views out the window. It’s good for the community to have the library there.

“We have two programmes: one is the lunch club, where people come to cook and eat together. On a Saturday, we always serve food.

"One Saturday a month we do a community meal. People of all ages can come along, it’s open to all.”

(Image: Kris Kesiak)

Glasgow Eagles Sports Club is using the hub as a base to run sports activities for people with disabilities, and the library will also offer learning opportunities such as adult literacy and numeracy (ALN) and creative writing. 

Andy Robinson, who is the assistant area manager for community services at Glasgow Life, said: "The newly refurbished facility now offers a high-quality, supportive community learning hub where all learners can improve English skills, build confidence, connect with others and develop their skills as a pathway to further education and employment.”

READ MORE: This Glasgow building dates back 121 years and reopens tomorrow

Bailie Christie added: “Glasgow Life Libraries are much-loved by their communities and the new-look Elder Park Library and Community Hub is a prime example of the pivotal part these facilities play in the lives of local people.

"There is so much on offer in the refreshed space, from Craft Café arts activities to table tennis, and of course free access to books, digital resources and information.

"The range of activities and support at Elder Park Library and Community Hub will ensure the facility remains a central feature at the heart of its local community for generations to come.”