Local people benefitting from Elder Park Library and Community Hub refurbishment

The £4 million restoration of Glasgow's Elder Park Library has been hailed by its local community.

Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 19 September 2024 10:42

Community groups and schoolchildren were invited to the facility, now known as Elder Park Library and Community Hub, on Wednesday 18 September 2024 for an official reopening ceremony.

Little ones enjoyed a Bookbug session as part of the event before choir members from Govan Gaelic Primary School, Ibrox Primary School and Riverside Primary School performed a series of songs. A ribbon was then cut and a plaque was unveiled by Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life.

The official reopening ceremony took place after Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow, welcomed the first visitors back to the refurbished library on Monday 24 June 2024.

In partnership with Elderpark Housing Association, significant improvements were made to Elder Park Library and Community Hub to make the A-listed building more accessible and sustainable and ensure it best meets the needs of the local community.

The internal and external work upgraded the library and community spaces. It also created a new community kitchen and more bookable areas for people to use, as well as extra library toilets and improved baby changing facilities.

Among those making use of the new-look facility is Impact Arts, an arts organisation that helps to transform lives through creative activities by building people’s confidence and empowering them to achieve their potential. Impact Arts has set up a Craft Café arts programme at Elder Park Library and Community Hub to support local people aged 60 and above to get creative, improve their wellbeing and, in turn, combat loneliness.

Impact Arts runs its Craft Café on Tuesdays (11.00am-4.00pm), Wednesdays (10.00am-2.00pm) and Thursdays (11.00am-4.00pm).

Angela Smith, 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 another group which holds community-focused activities at Elder Park Library and Community Hub.

Urban Roots delivers food growing and conservation activities across the southside of Glasgow. The group is using Elder Park Library and Community Hub’s new kitchen space to offer a lunch club and monthly community meals to promote healthier eating and connect with people who live nearby.

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.”

Glasgow Eagles Sports Club is also using Elder Park Library and Community Hub’s new facilities to support locals. The charity runs sports activities for people with disabilities, including table tennis and boccia.

Glasgow Eagles was founded in 1988 and previously based some of its activities in the former Elder Park Community Centre. The club also offers basketball, cycling, golf and powerlifting sessions.

Alec Watt MBE, Glasgow Eagles Sports Club Founder, said: “The new-look Elder Park Library and Community Hub is an excellent advert for Glasgow Life Libraries as it is homely, welcoming and a place that you’re happy to be in and spend time.

“We were advised as to what space was available and we were delighted, as this was ideal for our table tennis and boccia groups. In the not-too-distant future we may be able to introduce other indoor games or activities.

“The newly refurbished library will attract many new members from the local community through word of mouth because of its endearing qualities. It’s a focal point, a community resource.”

Elder Park Library and Community Hub also hosts free adult literacy classes, run by Glasgow Life. The sessions offer support with reading, writing, spelling and numbers.

Andy Robinson, Assistant Area Manager for Community Services, Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow Life’s Adult Learning Service is delighted to offer an expanded learning offer at Elder Park Library and Community Hub, including classes for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN) and Creative Writing. 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.”

Elder Park Library and Community Hub will soon be home to books chosen by pupils from local schools who will be given a chance to pick their favourite titles for the junior section.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, said: “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.”

Gary Dalziel, Chief Executive Officer of Elderpark Housing Association, said: “The Elder Park Library and Community Hub is a building of cultural significance in Govan and the recent significant financial investment is already providing opportunities for individuals and local groups to re-engage with the building and the spaces within it. It is early days since re-opening, but the transformation is stunning and I am certain the venue will be enjoyed by those residing within Govan for many years to come.”

Visit the Elder Park Library webpage on the Glasgow Life website for more information.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

The festive knockout you can not miss at Oran Mor!

This December, Glasgow's Oran Mor premieres Morag Fullarton's new theatre production, 'It's a Wonderful Life... Mostly'.

10p pizzas from Civerinos as Deliveroo marks 10th Scottish anniversary

Raise a dram to a decade of Deliveroo: Civerinos and Deliveroo launch 10p pizzas to celebrate 10 years of feeding the people of Scotland.

Glasgow Fort serves up a slice of Home Alone magic with year long cheese pizza competition

Glasgow Fort has teamed up with Leopardo Pizza to launch a Home Alone-inspired competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a year's supply of Kevin McCallister’s favourite cheese pizza.

Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK

Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper

Glasgow Fort joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas

Glasgow Fort has teamed up with local charities to help raise awareness of the support they can provide to people of all ages experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at Christmas.

The Tron Theatre announced new season for 2026

Tron Theatre is delighted to announce its brand-new season of work for Spring/Summer 2026.

This weekend Glasgow shoppers can win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift

This Sunday visitors to VEGA's Christmas Market have the chance to “unwrap the city” and win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift worth over £1,000!

Buchanan Galleries welcomes two new stores for the festive season

City centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries has expanded its retail line-up this December with the arrival of two new stores, offering visitors even more choice in the run-up to Christmas.

Glasgow Film Festival supports 50 next generation filmmakers across three star studded talent labs

Lab mentors and partners include Oscar-winning and nominated directors, leading animation studios, and executives from Netflix, BFI, Aardman, and Curzon.

Caledonia Gladiators launches most exclusive seat in Scottish sport in aid of GCH Charity

Scotland's basketball franchise Caledonia Gladiators has launched a unique new VIP experience – thought to be the most exclusive sporting seat in the country – in aid of charity.

Shipbuilding heritage, tall tales & Scottish cuisine make a tasty tune

Since launching in 2019, the Shipyard Bards, Tall Tales and Dinner events held at Glasgow's Mharsanta restaurant have repeatedly sold out.

Dr. Gillian Shirreffs Book Signing for Elephant at Waterstones Byres Road

Gillian Shirreffs has raised over £30,000 for charity through her writing, and she'll be signing copies of Elephant on Saturday 13th December at Waterstones Byres Road.

Silverburn unwraps a festive December of entertainment

Silverburn, Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, has unveiled a packed diary full of events this December, as guests get ready for Christmas.

Celtic Connections brought surprise morning gigs to coffee shops across Glasgow at the weekend

Celtic Connections surprised Saturday morning coffee goers with live pop-up gigs across Glasgow, bringing emerging artists into unexpected spaces.

Panto Pays: festive theatre season delivers economic boost

As part of Glasgow 850's Get You In Panto Town celebration, new figures reveal the significant economic contribution of Glasgow's beloved pantomime season to the city's economy.

Ring in Hogmanay with darts, dancing, and bottomless pizza

If your New Year's resolution is to have more fun, start early at Flight Club!

The oldest bar and restaurant in Glasgow unveils spectacular makeover

Sloans, has unveiled a spectacular festive transformation following a £300,000 investment that has reinvented the 228-year-old venue inside and out.

Celebrate South Asian cinema this December with a selection of releases at Vue

There’s plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue this December, with a number of titles heading to the big screen.

Is Glasgow Green Santa the coolest in the UK

Some visitors reckon that Santa's cousin who is currently in residence at Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green is the coolest of Santas.

Toys the season to be Jolly! Kids in Glasgow can win the entire DreamToys list this Christmas

Children in Glasgow are in for a festive treat this year, as a number of local retailers have announced they will be giving away all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.

Trust calls for the home of Scottish football to be saved from an own goal

National Trust for Scotland has added its voice to those seeking assurances about the preservation of the first ever Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Cocktails and Champagne at new Luss Distillery

The newly opened Luss Distillery has announced its first events ahead of the festive season.

Glasgow shoppers slow down for a calmer Black Friday at The Social Hub

Glasgow shoppers embraced “slow shopping” as The Social Hub hosted its Rethink Black Friday market, offering a calm alternative that spotlighted local makers.

Tis the season: Meet Home Alone inspired characters at Glasgow Fort

Christmas is in full swing at Glasgow Fort, with festive character visits, the Christmas market and family activities now underway to help get shoppers of all ages into the festive spirit.

Family run Jackton Distillery unveils bumper festive programme for 2025

Jackton Distillery, the family run Lowland distillery behind the RAER whisky, spirits and wine portfolio, has announced a packed Christmas calendar for December 2025.

First Scottish KENJI store now open at Silverburn

East Asian-inspired lifestyle brand KENJI has opened the doors to its first Scottish store as it joins the impressive brand lineup at Silverburn.

Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.

Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life

Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas

Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.

Breakout Scots star urges young people to discover new artists IRL at Celtic Connections coffee pop ups

Katie Gregson-MacLeod is urging young Glaswegians to discover new music IRL as Celtic Connections brings free pop-up gigs to Patricia's x SLB, Through The House and Black Pine this Saturday.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro

Local people benefitting from Elder Park Library and Community Hub refurbishment

The £4 million restoration of Glasgow's Elder Park Library has been hailed by its local community.

Sponsored Links

Latest Glasgow News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings