Partick Library is welcoming the community back among its bookshelves today, Monday 2^rd December, as it re-opens its doors following substantial refurbishment works totalling £1.5 million.

The library has been at the heart of the west end community for almost 95 years and before it closed for refurbishment in December 2018, had more than 2500 visits each week, issuing more than 1500 books a week.

The building has been given a new lease of life as part of Glasgow City Council’s Community Asset Fund investment of £10 million into community buildings across the city, with some additional funding from the Community Revenue Fund.

The 12-month makeover has revitalized this crucial public space, creating a new communal, mezzanine space, study space and new IT training suite for the local community.

The bright children’s area also now boasts Glasgow Libraries’ first Sensory Nook, which provides a special multisensory reading space for children with additional needs.

As well as new contemporary decoration, the B-listed library building, which first opened its doors in 1925, has undergone rewiring, re-roofing, window refurbishment, drainage repair works and had a new IT system installed.

Andrew Olney, Head of Communities and Libraries at Glasgow Life, said:

Partick Library is one of our busiest, most loved community venues, having served the people of Glasgow for almost 95 years.

As part of a planned £10 million investment into improving libraries and community facilities citywide, this investment by Glasgow City Council has significantly redeveloped Partick Library, allowing us to protect this important B-listed building. Hundreds of residents can now benefit from this fantastic community space in the west end of the city.

Of almost five million visits made to Glasgow Libraries in the 12 months to December 2018, more than 133,000 were recorded at Partick Library. Glasgow Life hopes the new look library will encourage even more members of the community to explore what’s on offer inside.

Alongside around 33,000 titles, free Wi-Fi and free PC access, the new look community library will also welcome local schools and put on a range of adult and digital learning classes.

Almost one year after closing for refurbishment, the new look library will once again be at the centre of Partick’s community, hosting many groups and classes like knitting, book group, creative writing, breastfeeding support and Bookbug.

Activities and advice services led by partners will also relaunch at the library including Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries, Universal Credit, Citizens Advice, Jobs and Business Glasgow, Action on Hearing and more.

A range of exciting activities are planned during the opening week, including a special opening event and a visit from Tartan noir novelist Christopher Brookmyre on the evening of Tuesday, 3 December.

For more information, or to find out more about what’s on in Partick Library, please visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries