Councillors, library users and staff celebrate at the official opening of the newly improved Carnegie Library in Ayr.
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South Ayrshire Council's flagship library, Carnegie in Ayr, has reopened after a brief closure for internal improvement works, marking an investment of around £15,000 in the popular facility.
The four day closure provided an opportunity for the reorganisation of the internal layout of the library to ensure Carnegie continues to deliver a first-class, modern library and information service that meets the changing needs of our customers.
The improvements include:
- More flexibility and space within the Children's Section to accommodate the increasing numbers coming along to Book Bug and Rhyme Time sessions for our youngest readers.
- The introduction of a new 'Young Adults' section.
- An additional issue/return desk at the Garden Street entrance, which is being used more and more by customers because of its accessibility.
- New shelving units and better signage to ensure readers can browse and find the books they want quickly and easily.
- An improved online reference resource replacing the limited availability of printed resources and to reflect changing patterns in use.
Our library services continue to be popular with the public with the number of books being issued to 10 to 14 year olds up 15%, to young adults up 60%, to childminders up 21% and to teachers up 12%.
After officially opening Carnegie Library following the improvements Councillor Bill Grant, Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder said: "Our library service is recognised as being one of the most forward thinking and groundbreaking in Scotland.
"We are innovative and embrace modern technology to ensure we provide diverse services for everyone in our communities. By continually modernising and improving our library services to meet the needs of our customers, whether they are babies, toddlers, teenagers, students or older people we ensure the service is fit for purpose.
"Before making any changes at Carnegie we consulted with Library Services Scotland, listened to the Mums and Dads who bring their children to Bookbug sessions, talked to young adults to see what would encourage them to use our services more and looked at what would make access to our facilities easier.
"Only after we had considered all their views did we go ahead with the changes. We now have a much more user friendly library. The changes to the layout in the children's section and the creation of a new young adults' section will ensure we provide a tailored approach to reading and borrowing that best meets their needs.
"Whether you visit the library to select books, use the computers, attend the Bookbug sessions, listen to a talk from a visiting author, select an audio book, or use the reference facilities there really is something for everyone. For the visually impaired we provide large print books, audio equipment and computer facilities to enable them to make full use of our facilities."
"All the books and shelving in the library have been moved, new signs put up and furniture rearranged and artwork placed on the walls. All of this work, which was a mammoth task, was carried out by the team who work at the Carnegie library during the few days it was closed.
Library users have been very enthusiastic about the changes, here are just a few of the comments:
- New layout gives lots more space.
- I like the non-fiction being in a different bit.
- Like all the seating in the lending area.
- Plenty of space to browse and great to see increased biography section.
- Nice area for reading newspapers.
- I will get used to it, good idea to split fiction and non-fiction.
- Light, bright and much more welcoming.
- Lots more room in the children's section.
- Not quite sure about it yet, but gives choices to look at books wouldn't necessarily look at before.
- Feels like there's too much choice now – in a good way.
- Good that there is now space for all the classics.
- It's a delightful environment, comfortable, clean and well organised.
- A great improvement.