IT is 40 years since the opening of Largs Library - which cost the pricely sum of £250,000 to build back in 1981.

The reading resource, which includes a computer room and meeting area, has been well used by the community over the years, hosting everything from art exhibitions to the Tidelines Book Festival.

The Allanpark Street building was officially opened in by Councillor George Stevens, the then-vice convenor of Cunninghame District Council's leisure and recreation committee.

One the day he paid tribute to the contractors, R.Rubie and Sons of Irvine, for a 'first class job'.

The old library was situated in Bath Street and was the district's third busies centre, but its popularity meant it was in need of more spacious surroundings.

The library opened with a stock of 127,697 books and a staff of three, Mrs Irene Gilmour, senior assistant, Mrs Rosaline Swan, part-time assistant Mrs Slyvia Paling, also an assistant.

Mrs Gilmour said that the new building had been met with 'universal acclaim'.

She said at the time: “Everyone thinks the design is super and needless to say the range of new books is superb.”

In recent years there has been a 'Save Largs Library' campaign, mounted by Largs Writers' Group, after calls to move the library to the Vikingar. That threat was staved off and it has gone on to play an important part during the pandemic for providing community support.

When Cllr Stevens opened the library, few could have imagined how it would go on to play such important a role as a community hub during a global pandemic, arranging food parcels and directing people to various support groups.

Here are some archives photos of the facility from our archives, including Largs actress Daniela Nardini's visit to the library in the 1990s after her acclaimed appearance in the BBC drama 'This Life', an Easter craft day in 2017, Blue Kiwi Photography and Largs Writers' Group exhibition in 2018.