Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub has clinched a national award.

The new home for Paisley Central Library won the physical category at the EDGE Awards, which celebrates library practitioners from the UK and worldwide.

Opened in November 2023 after a £7 million investment from Renfrewshire Council, the library now occupies a former High Street shop, spread over four floors.

It includes a children's library and storytelling area with a unique play structure, codesigned with Scottish artist Claire Barclay.

Community rooms, a study area for young adults, an outside terrace, free Wi-Fi and PC access constitute the upper floors, ensuring digital inclusivity.

OneRen operates the hub and has lined up various events, including the return of the Paisley Book Festival, author visits, Bookbug sessions for families, and storytelling workshops.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, the council's cultural spokesperson and chair of OneRen, said: "We’re thrilled to have been recognised with this award and it is testament to the hard work of all of the teams involved in bringing our new library to life.

"Placing a library in the centre of the High Street is part of our ongoing drive to give people new reasons to visit the town centre as we believe culture should be at the heart of its future and this modern, welcoming hub aims to be inclusive and accessible for all.

"We look forward to seeing it become a staple of the town centre in Paisley, inspiring current and future generations to discover a love for reading and learning, and I want to congratulate all involved in the refurbishment project."

It edged out Manchester Libraries in the competition, just weeks after the Paisley library had won a Scottish Property Award.

One of the judges on the EDGE panel said: "By placing the new library at the heart of the High Street it recognises the role of libraries as place-makers within their communities, a vital shared space for community engagement that will drive footfall to the high street and support economic growth and civic pride."