It was first opened in 1905 and in 2018 received a £1 million refurbishment to provide it with "flexible, community focused spaces".

In 1901, Scottish philanthropist Dr Andrew Carnegie, responded to a request for funding to provide a public library in Montrose.

The total cost of the building was £7,500 with further contributions from the town of Montrose of £1000, from Mr and Mrs W. Douglas Johnson of £500 and from “Montrosians at home and abroad” of £1000.

[2] Contributions for funding the book collection were requested from present and former Montrosians and local children's families to stock the juvenile section.

The library was officially reopened on 5 September 2018 by Scottish author Stuart McBride, after a £1 million refurbishment.