Airdrie Library

The first was opened in 1894 by a public subscription of more than £1000 and a £1000 donation from Andrew Carnegie (the Scottish born philanthropist) on Anderson Street, today's Airdrie Arts Centre.

The second purpose-built, and current, building was designed by JM Arthur,[1] and opened on 25 September 1925, funded by Airdrie Savings Bank and a second Carnegie grant.

[2] The local newspaper, the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser had this to say the next day; "Although not quite finished the new Library building in Wellwynde Street was sufficiently far advanced towards completion to allow the opening ceremony to take place yesterday afternoon".

In 1920, the library was gifted a Covenanters' flag, carried in the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, by John Main, Laird of Ballochney.

[3] In August the Public Libraries Act (Scotland) was passed, and in November Airdrie was the first Scottish town to adopt it, beating Dunfermline into second place by 13 years.

Dr. Thomas Reid, an eminent Glasgow oculist, donated a 3-inch (76 mm) brass-bodied, refracting telescope to the town, and it was housed in the library.