A milestone for the hub of Perth’s cultural activities has been marked.
The AK Bell Library launched a year of celebrations for its 21st birthday, which will include an exhibition of images from the past two decades.
On Wednesday morning the up-and-coming users of the library youngsters attending a Bookbug Rhymetime session were treated to a birthday cake.
Birthday presents were also provided for the children and a free book was given to all youngsters who visited the library during the day.
Invited guests, including Perth and Kinross depute provost Bob Band, later attended an evening celebration, at which another cake was cut.
Mr Band said on Wednesday night: “With an average footfall of well over 200,000 to the AK Bell each year, we can be sure that since it opened more than 4.5 million visitors have passed through these doors.
“Over the past 21 years this library has led the way and trailblazed on many occasions.
“One of the most obvious examples is the huge impact that information technology has had on all our daily lives and also on the work of this service.”
Built as an infirmary in 1836, it was extended and converted as a library by the then Perth and Kinross District Council.
The library commemorates three of Perth’s most famous sons. It is named after Arthur Kinmond Bell, whose Gannochy Trust made a large contribution to the building costs.
The Soutar theatre honours the poet William Soutar, while the Sandeman exhibition and meeting room is named after Professor Archibald Sandeman, who gifted Perth’s first public library to the city.