Restoration plans for town's historic library

Work is part of £1.4m lottery investment in Airdrie

- IAN BUNTING

Historic Airdrie's library was Scotland's first under the Public Libraries Act

Major new investment will see the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Airdrie Library.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the town's Rediscovering Airdrie project £1.4 million.

Central to the project is the transformation of the library - Scotland’s first library under the Public Libraries Act and home to the UK's smallest public observatory - while a “shopfront improvement scheme” will also boost the town centre.

The funding will breathe new life into historic buildings in need, helping boost local economies while strengthening connections between communities and the heritage on their doorstep.