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

Kids enjoyed a library 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 at the 121-year-old building took place after Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow, welcomed the first visitors back to the refurbished library in June.

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.

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 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.”

Elder Park Library was gifted to Govan by Isabella Elder, who donated £10,000 to meet the cost of the building. Her work as a philanthropist advocating for the people of Govan led to her becoming a legend in Glasgow’s history books and being named one of the “greatest” Glaswegians.

She was the wife of Govan industrialist John Elder who inspired the name of nearby Elder Park. The building was first opened by Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1903.

All pictures from Elderpark Housing