THE new look £2.3 million library in Greenock opened its doors yesterday and is set to offer a wider world of learning to more people than ever before.

Inverclyde Council has refurbished the former rent office in Wallace Place to house the flagship library.

Inside there is a fully kitted out area for children and young people, complete with an iPad kiosk and PCs.

Mum-of-two Donna Tickell, 32, visiting with her three-year-old son Mason, pictured below, was impressed.

She said: “I think it’s brilliant.

“When I was young you went to a library and had to sit in a corner and be quiet.

“They did not really cater for children, but it’s not like that now.We use the library all the time for Bookbug sessions and so I can read to Mason.

“My daughter Holly is also in the book club — she is quite shy and it gives her the opportunity to talk about something.” Bookbug is just one of the many events which will be run for families in the library, with the aim of instilling a love of learning that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Katharine Mulvenny, the young persons librarian, said: “We want libraries to be for babies and children and for that to continue as they get older.

“Our services are well used by young families.

“Inverclyde has great education attainment and I think our library services play a part in that.

“We want to encourage literacy but also make it fun as well.” One of the new features is a kiosk with iPads that have children’s apps downloaded on them, bringing some great learning games to families at the touch of a finger.

Elsewhere in the library community groups like Inverclyde Council on Disability will benefit from the learning hub — and volunteers were very impressed with the new library.

One of them, Gus Campbell, said: “I think it is great, and more people will use it now because of where it is.” David Smith, who take various library courses, added: “It is fantastic.” Acting libraries, museum and archives manager Gerry Mergin said: “It is very exciting for us and we are exploring lots of new ways to deliver services.”