The £1.3 million scheme for the library building in Cheetham Street will also include study areas, computer suite, Customer First Access point and a cafe. There will also be outdoor space for storytelling and small performances.

The library is expected to re-open in December with the heritage and original features of the former Sunday School building being preserved and made visible. The work is being carried out on sustainable principles, with measures including solar film on the windows, energy-efficient boilers and sustainable materials and fittings.

The local library is one of five which Calderdale Council intends to transform during the next 18 months.

While the work is carried out, the library side of Cheetham Street is to be closed off for contractors equipment resulting in the three car parking spaces not being available for the public until the library re-opens at the end of 2008.

“As 2008 is National Year of Reading, it is very fitting that we should mark it with a new library in Hebden Bridge,” said Gary Borrows, Calderdale Council’s head of libraries, museums and arts.

“The temporary loss of car parking spaces is regrettable, but there is no other available space in the town centre for the contractor and we would ask people to bear with us, as the work will result in a vastly improved library for the town,” said Mr Borrows.

Calderdale’s Community Services spokeswoman, Coun Amanda Byrne, said the new and improved library would be a huge boost for the town.

“I look forward to the re-opening which will offer the most up-to-date and modern library facilities while preserving the character of the former Sunday School building.”

The scheme for the library building has been delayed since exploratory work carried out in 2006 revealed problems that had not come to light in the original survey including structural defects with the roof, wet rot, dry rot, decaying concrete and defective render, stonework and pointing.

Calderdale Council said that many of the problems could not be detected until the library was closed and the ceiling could be removed.

More problems were also found at the adjacent Youth House.

The additional defects increased the council’s project costs by a massive £810,000 to £1.3 million, the funding for which was approved last year.

Since the Cheetham Street building was closed in April 2006, the library has been operating out of temporary facilities at the Vale Centre, at the bottom of Bridge Lanes.