The Cornerstone – St Ives Library & Visitor Information Centre celebrated an exciting new chapter last week with the official launch of its Digital Skills Project, the opening of the Bryan Pearce Suite, and the unveiling of its beautifully refurbished community building.
Guests, partners, contractors and members of the local community came together to celebrate the transformation of The Cornerstone into a vibrant, modern community hub, bringing together library services, visitor information, digital inclusion, community activities and cultural spaces under one roof.
The afternoon showcased the building’s extensive refurbishment and the exciting new facilities now available for residents and visitors alike. Guests explored the transformed spaces, experienced demonstrations of the new digital equipment, and celebrated the opening of the Bryan Pearce Suite. The Friends of St Ives Library (FOSIL) proudly named the computer and meeting room in honour of one of St Ives’ most celebrated artists. The suite recognises Bryan Pearce’s lasting connection to the town and provides a dedicated home for Cornwall Libraries’ public computers, creating an inspiring space for learning and accessing online resources.
Visitors later had the opportunity to view the newly refurbished Greta Williams Suite, a flexible community space that will host the Digital Skills Programme, community groups, meetings, workshops, training sessions and a wide range of events throughout the year.
This extensive refurbishment of The Cornerstone has been made possible through funding from the St Ives Town Deal and Cornwall Council. The Town Council’s vision has been brought to life through the hard work, dedication and expertise of local contractors, partners and supporters. Investment in the digital facilities has been specifically designed to improve digital skills, confidence and opportunities for local people, helping to strengthen the local economy through investment in both people and place.
The Town Council would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in the project, from the earliest planning stages through to its successful completion.
Sally Price, Deputy Town Clerk, said:
“This was a lovely event that has enabled us to say thank you to everyone who has help to create this wonderful space for our community. Particularly, we would like to recognise the incredible enthusiasm of the Friends of St Ives Library thank them for their support and for their wonderful tribute to Bryan Pearce, a much loved local artist. Their knowledge and expertise is such an important part of our ongoing success and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors old and new to this fantastic local facility .”
Trish Newborn, Cornerstone Manager, said:
“This project has been a real community effort, and it was wonderful to celebrate with everyone who helped make it happen. The Cornerstone is so much more than a library—it’s a welcoming community hub where people can learn new digital skills, access visitor information, attend events, connect with others and discover everything St Ives has to offer. We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved and can’t wait to welcome everyone through our doors.”
Whether you’re looking to borrow a book, discover local information, improve your digital skills, attend an event, work remotely, or simply enjoy a welcoming place to meet others, The Cornerstone now offers something for everyone.
The team warmly invites residents and visitors to come along, explore the refurbished building, experience the new facilities and discover everything The Cornerstone has to offer.
The Cornerstone is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am–4.00pm, welcoming everyone to enjoy this fantastic community asset in the heart of St Ives.
