A police probe has been launched after someone defecated on a Mearns library floor twice inside a month.
Stonehaven Library was forced to close after human faeces was discovered in the building.
Officers from Grampian Police have now launched an investigation, with councillors and residents expressing their disgust.
Both incidents took place on the first floor of the library and happened around two weeks apart.
Chairman of Stonehaven Community Council, Michael Innes, said: ”This is disgraceful behaviour and the person responsible should have been made to clear it up themselves.
”The library is an old building and it is a public building, but that doesn’t give anybody the right to do something like this.”
He added that CCTV footage in and around the building should be reviewed and called for whoever was responsible for leaving the mess to undertake a period of community service.
Residents have taken to social media sites to air their views, claiming the act reflected badly on the town.
The library on Evan Street is used extensively, including by toddler, playgroup and nursery groups.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman confirmed the library was forced to shut on one of the occasions human excrement was discovered by staff.
She added: ”We can confirm that Grampian Police are now investigating following two incidents at Stonehaven Library within the last month.
”As a result of the second incident, the library was closed on Saturday, August 18.
”As the incident is now the subject of a police investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A Grampian Police spokesman said they were making enquiries into both incidents, which took place on August 4 and August 17.
She added: ”Library assistants reported the incidents to the police. Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone who may have seen anything that could help our officers should get in touch.”
Anyone with information should contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5700 or call anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.