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Work to turn a historic Liverpool library into a community centre will start within weeks after the project won £3.9m in Lottery cash.

The Heritage Lottery Fund today confirmed the grant to the Andrew Carnegie Library in Tuebrook that will see the derelict building converted into a multi-purpose hub.

The Lister Drive building will be called the Old Library and will include a café, a “healthy takeaway” and an events space. It will offer childcare services and volunteering opportunities to people in Tuebrook, West Derby, Stoneycroft and Old Swan.

Today is an appropriate day for the announcement as it marks Andrew Carnegie’s 181st birthday. The Scottish-American became one of the richest men in the world through his success in the steel industry – and used some of his wealth to build thousands of libraries around the world.

Some work has already been carried out to clear the building of mould and rot but this funding will allow the full rebuilding to start.

Childcare charity Lister Steps is leading the restoration plan. Its boss Gaynor Williams said: “This is a bright new chapter for the area and one that we’re really excited to be involved in.

“When Andrew Carnegie opened the library in 1905, he envisioned that it would be something that absolutely everyone in the area could benefit from and be proud of. Now, thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Lister Steps are able to continue carrying out that vision.

“It’s no secret that the area is one that has more than its fair share of hardship, with plenty of people who feel isolated and are struggling to make ends meet. The Old Library is going to create a sense of renewed community by offering people a chance to access honest, affordable services and get vital information about how to manage their money.

“It will also be a place to help local entrepreneurs get their big ideas off the ground, as well as a community space for weddings, celebrations, concerts, theatre, conferences and local events. It truly is something for everyone.”

The library was one of the buildings highlighted in the ECHO’s Stop the Rot campaign to save our city’s at-risk historic buildings.

Ms Williams says the building will be called the Old Library because that’s what local people still call it.

The new development has been designed by OMI Architects. Work will start next month and the new-look building will open its doors in November 2018.

Nathan Lee, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North West, said: “What a great way to mark Andrew Carnegie’s 181st birthday with our £3.9m investment – I think he would have approved.

“We loved Lister Steps’ plans to restore this historic landmark into a living, breathing place designed around the needs of the local community.

“This is a great example of National Lottery players’ money being used to maximum effect by taking a much-loved but dilapidated building and turning it into a space fit for 21st-century living.”