Love Libraries – Creativity, companionship and community are priorities at historic city library

You won’t believe who is top dog at Elder Park Library & Community Hub in south Glasgow – a four-legged friend named Bonnie who serves as the resident therapy pet.

Her vital role is to provide companionship and cuddles to people in the community who are unable to have an animal of their own.

It’s far from a dog’s life – and the staff, volunteers and visitors all think she’s a paw-fect addition to the library.

Derek Patrick, Principal Librarian at Glasgow Life, said:

Bonnie is usually here during our Craft Café sessions, run by Impact Arts. She’s very popular with everyone there.

Some people come to the sessions to be creative, others want companionship. It’s a really good thing for beating social isolation among older people in the community.

Dedicated

Serving their community is the priority of every librarian and volunteer at Elder Park. The dedicated team provides everything from health and wellbeing support to sports, crafts, literacy classes and even food parcels.

Such services are all in high demand at the library in Govan, which is one of the city’s less affluent neighbourhoods. Yet this is an area rich in heritage, local pride and community spirit – with the library the jewel in its crown.

People of all ages and backgrounds use the facility – from babies attending Bookbug story and song sessions to senior citizens sharing tales of days gone by at the Govan Reminiscence Group.

Derek said:

Every library has its own personality, its own feel. Here, it’s like the people of Govan own this building. We deliver what the community wants and needs. We have lots of classes and clubs and we’re very family oriented.

Activities

Groups using the space include Impact Arts, for the Craft Café and environmental charity Urban Roots, which uses the library’s community kitchen for a lunch club and sessions to promote healthier eating.

There’s also sessions by the Menopause Warriors, the Good Moves walking group and the Catherine McEwan Foundation, which helps people living with Crohn’s and Colitis.

Derek said:

They really wanted a presence in the area due to the prevalence of these conditions here.

The library also hosts digital skills classes and activities by the Glasgow Eagles Sports Club.

Derek said:

The Glasgow Eagles deliver sports for people with disabilities – we have table tennis and floor bowls here. Numbers have grown and it’s a good wee group.

There are digital classes for people who have devices and can’t use them. Those are busy. It’s especially helpful for older people. We also have adult literacy and numeracy classes.

One thing that isn’t a factor is money. We welcome groups who need the space. We charge only a community rate, which is minimal.

Heritage

A £4 million restoration of Elder Park Library, which originally opened in 1903, was completed in September 2024.

Renovations included energy-efficient boilers, new electrics, improved ventilation and even a weather station on the roof.

Derek said:

More spaces for groups to book were made available, along with the creation of a community kitchen, more toilets, improved baby changing facilities and a full refurbishment of the interiors.

The bright and colourful children’s area reflects the area’s proud shipbuilding heritage through nautical decor – waves, helms, anchors and seagulls adorn the walls.

The A-listed building was originally a gift to the people of Govan by philanthropist Isabella Elder, the wife of industrialist John Elder. She gave £10,000 to pay for the facility in the early 1900s. It was designed and built by renowned architect John James Burnett, at a cost of £27,000.

The library was opened by Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1903 and the building is now under the protection of Historic Environment Scotland due to its architectural and historic interest.

Derek said:

We’re a warm, safe space for everyone. We have people coming in just for the heat and company and that’s fine. Everyone is welcome here.

Learn more about what Elder Park and other Glasgow libraries have to offer.