HUNDREDS of people have flocked to a Ebbw Vale library following major refurbishment works funded by the Welsh Government.

The newly renovated Ebbw Vale library has received more than 500 visitors per day on average during its first week, with people of all ages accessing a number of services.

The new-look was helped with a Welsh Government museum and libraries grant as well as money from the Welsh European Funding Office Convergence Programme.

Since re-opening, visitors have been accessing services including book loans, job clubs and computer and internet access while families and children have been taking advantage of several schemes.

These range from free face painting to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: The Big Friendly Read, which takes place every year during the summer holidays.

The scheme encourages children to sign up for library services and then read six library books of their choice to complete the challenge with exclusive awards to collect along the way.

Staff at the library have been overwhelmed by the positive reactions and feedback from visitors so far, which have included returning customers and many first time visitors of all ages.

Comments from visitors, recorded in a log book, have described the library as “cool and stylish” while crediting the architectural features of the former church building.

The library opens between 9am -5.30pm Monday to Friday, is closed on Wednesday and its Saturday opening hours are 9am – 1pm.

For more information on the library call 01495 355055 or visit http://aneurinleisure.org.uk/heritage/libraries