Like one giant bookworm, a human chain of volunteers snaked their way to Dunfermline’s new £12 million cultural hub on Wednesday.
Volunteers from a host of local organisations answered the rallying call to action from Fife Cultural Trust staff to move the local studies collection from its temporary home in St Margaret’s House to its brand new base in the prestigious reading room of the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries.
The trust received a huge response to its request, with volunteers signing up from all age groups.
They ranged from primary school youngsters to veterans.
A huge swathe came from the ranks of the volunteers who have been involved in the project from its inception as well as representatives from local history societies.
The local history section of the Carnegie Library has had a temporary home in nearby St Margaret’s House while building work progressed on the new hub.
For the last three years a small local and family history area has been available to customers in St Margaret’s.
But on Wednesday the treasures — many of which will be going on display for the first time this May — were moved into their new home.
The new centre has integrated the existing world’s first Carnegie library with a new museum and art gallery which will be opening its doors to the public on Thursday May 18.
The trust’s local studies officer Sara Ann Kelly said: “We are delighted with the response from our local community.
“We thought it would be fun to engage the local community in this event and the response has been overwhelming.
“People just seem to be keen to get involved and that’s wonderful.
“The new facility really will be a great social and cultural hub and will most certainly have something for everyone.”
She added the collection, including photographs, maps, census and parish records, are being made ready for customer to use in the new space.
While the transfer is happening, enquiries about local and family history can still be made online, by phone or letter or by visiting the Maygate library.
Further information can be found at www.onfife.com.
