Young ambassadors got a sneak peek of the new £12 million Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries today.
Staff at the new cultural hub, in the heart of Dunfermline’s heritage quarter, decided to invite all the local school children 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 marrying the town’s existing library, which was the world’s first Carnegie public library, with an empty listed building next door.
It was linked and expanded via a contemporary building making full use of its unique setting next to Dunfermline Abbey and the town’s oldest building, Abbot House.
Although it has yet to open its doors, the building has already won major architectural awards.
The Richard Murphy Architects-designed building won the title of building of the year in the Edinburgh Architectural Association’s annual awards.
It has also picked up the accolade of large project of the year.
As thanks, youngsters were free to explore the entire building, including the children’s library, the main library, 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 proud 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 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.
