After 40 years of campaigning for a library in the area, the new Drumbrae Library Hub opened its doors to locals.

Over 300 people passed through the hub in the first two hours of its opening. The community has welcomed the new facility, as the area was one of the last parts of Edinburgh located more than a mile away from a public library.

First through the door was the Campbell family from Clermiston. Mother-of-two Katie Campbell, an HR executive, said her family had been watching the construction “with excitement”.

She said: “We read a lot at home but I don’t tend to take them to the library that often – that’s why we are so excited about the Drumbrae Hub opening.

“I love reading and I think it is really important to read to your children.

“We have lived in Clermiston for nearly four years and one of the things we love is the sense of community. Our neighbours are a mixture of older people who have lived here since the houses were built and young families like us.

“I think we will all find the Drumbrae Library Hub a valuable asset to our community.”

Katie mother, Judy Arrowsmith, praised the library’s “pleasant, open space”.

“In this locality, we are well provided with sports facilities and green spaces,” Judy said.

“However, there has been a lack of resources providing social and intellectual stimulation. I love the fact that people who perhaps aren’t very interested in reading can visit the hub and may be encouraged to pick a book.”

Over and above the library, the Hub also houses an adult day care and a range of council services – from paying bills and rent to reporting dog fouling problems.

Ian Begg, from Rannock Road, has lived in the area for 48 years. He was the first person to use the service and information desk to get a new library card.

Ian said: “The library has been long overdue and it is a lovely building. It is badly needed for the area. I hope there is a lot for the young people.

“I feel they are a wee bit behind with young ones. At one time there was nothing in the area for the young people and then we got the swimming pool. So this is another step forward.”

Catherine Herd used the information and services desk to top up her bus card.

She said: “Before this opened, the nearest library is a good bit away and you can’t get a bus to it. My friend and I think it will be easier to come here to get our books.”

Local Queensferry band Bwani Junction performed a short set, which included an African-infused cover of the Pogues’ Dirty Old Town, to mark the hub’s opening.

Accompanying the band was Danielle Mckay, 16. They are helping her raise funds to take a gap year in South Africa to work in a school and help improvished children. Danielle is hosting a charity gig at Kirkliston Bowling Alley on Friday February 3, where the band will also perform.

Guitarist Dan Muir, 19, said: “We were asked to help open the library and we were very happy to. We have a Scottish, Afro-beat indie sound.

“The name comes from an old Eva Gardener film. When we were deciding on a name it came up a lot – there was a poster of it at the practice studios, the film was on once when we got in from a night. We dropped two of the letters so when you Googled it nothing else came up.”

Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir, who grew up in the area, came to see the library finally open to the public.

He said: “This is a historic day for the communities of Drum Brae and Clermiston which have been campaigning for a library in the area for as long as I can remember.

“I grew up in Drum Brae Terrace and I remember this project being talked about for years but it never materialised until now.

“There has been a huge community backing for it and local councillors in the area have thrown their weight behind it.

“When I walked in this morning I felt like being at a party – there was a band playing, kids running around and a library packed with people.

“You could feel a real community vibe and a sense of accomplishment.”

IN DETAIL

Snaps from Drumbrae Hub opening day

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