Money for the project to improve the Category B Listed building in the town’s Hope Street also came from investment money identified in the administration’s budget.

Council leader Joe Fagan said: “This beautiful Edwardian building badly needed investment, and I am delighted at the improvements that have been made.

“While capital investment was the main funding source, the Transformation Fund also ensured that these much-needed works could be completed.”

Susan Nicoll, community librarian for the Clydesdale Area, based at Lanark Library, said: “Lanark Library is a vibrant and welcoming place to promote and nurture, health and wellbeing, digital and social inclusion and to help combat loneliness and isolation.

“We are a place of knowledge, from which stems ideas, creativity, discussion and friendship.

“This is the true value of the renovation work to our team and library community.”