The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Youngsters book early visit to £12m library
AMBASSADORS: Pupils who helped promote new building get to try out its facilities
Helpful youngsters have been given a sneak peek of the new £12 million Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries.
Staff at the new centre decided to invite all the local schoolchildren who have volunteered and acted as ambassadors for the building over recent years.
Project team member Lesley MacNaughton gave the youngsters a short talk and slide show about the many ways they have helped during the massive building task.
The work involved linking the town’s existing library with an empty listed building next door to make full use of its setting next to Dunfermline Abbey and the town’s oldest building, Abbot House.
Although it has yet to open its doors, it has already won major architectural awards. Designed by Richard Murphy Architects, it won building of the year in the Edinburgh Architectural Association’s annual awards, where it also picked up large project of the year.
As thanks, youngsters were free to explore the entire building, including the children’s and main libraries, galleries, museum and reading room, getting the chance to enjoy the interactive displays.
On show are segments from Dunfermline’s past, from its royal roots, to its sporting and entertainment stars, telling the story of its wartime efforts, its industrial past and conveying the stories of its people and how they lived, worked and played.
In total, more than 100 primary school pupils, with their teachers and adult helpers, converged on the new hub and its gardens, which will officially open on Thursday May 18.
Joining in were 21 volunteers from Lynburn, 22 from Carnock, 64 from McLean and 26 from Cairneyhill primary schools.
Meanwhile 20 ambassadors joined in the fun from Townhill, Lynburn, Pitreavie, Crossford, Carnegie, Duloch, McLean, St Margaret’s Bellyeoman, Torryburn, Tulliallan and Blairhall primary schools.
leclark@thecourier.co.uk