Giffnock has a new hub

Braidbar Primary pupils check out the childrens area. Front: Joshua McDonald P5; Umair Inwar P2; Oliver Baird P2; Alex Duff P1. Back: Sophie Ward P5; Erynn Knight P5.

And the word on the streets is that residents and schoolchildren are bowled over by the £450,000 makeover.

Among the many major upgrades the building has gone through, there is a colourful children’s area, dedicated teen section, a cosy snug with newspapers and magazines, new furniture, a heritage room and flexible meeting spaces for local groups.

The bright children’s section, which is already proving popular, has quotes adorning the walls from favourite children’s books that were suggested by local primary school pupils.

Convener for community services and community safety, councillor Mary Montague, said: “It has been wonderful to see Giffnock library take shape.

“It not only looks fantastic, but also provides a first-class service.

“I know many people in the local community have been looking forward to it reopening and seeing what has been done with the facility.

“From the brilliant, new children’s area, to the meeting rooms, to the comfy snug — I’m sure everyone is giong to love it.”

The upgraded library also boasts a spacious community room along with two other meeting rooms and a learning suite which has already attracted the attention of several of the area’s groups.

Among those is the East Renfrewshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Spokeswoman Theresa O’Hara said: “This will provide us with a fabulous, safe environment where our clients can discuss their issues.”

Another group that will be moving into the new library is the East Renfrewshire Camcorder Club. A spokesman said: “Our presence in the library is much more at the heart of the community, will give us a higher profile and should improve our opportunities of attracting interest in the club.

“The new library accommodation will give us a spaciousmeeting room with IT facilities built in, which could prove very useful in helping people improve their video editing skills.”

Most of the groups that used Rhuallan House in the past will also be using the library, as the historic building has been put up for sale.

The council has put the B-listed building on the market as it requires significant investment to restore it.