BOASTING a room with walls that fold out into a makeshift cinema screens, a media lab to specialise in video production and an artists' studio, the new City Library in Rundle Mall will be a far cry from the stuffy, book-focused institutions of old.

It won't even have a traditional, big customer service desk.

There will be room for mobile food sellers to create an ever changing cafe space and a large outdoor area overlooking the mall from three storeys up in the Rundle Place shopping centre.

Light floods into the doughnut-shaped library from the centre's central atrium.

The council has released a time-lapse video of construction works and gave the City Messenger a tour ahead the library's February 7 opening.

It has not come without controversy, however, as some residents are deeply unhappy at the impending closure of the council's Grote St and North Tce libraries.

"It gives us a chance to rewrite what libraries are to us as a capital city," Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.

"We can start from scratch and start a service that's much more relevant to the 21st century."

In place of a central customer service desk will be self-service pods and a series of scattered help desks.

A workshop room, set at an angle to the rest of the library, has two walls that can fold out to become screens for film nights.

The council expects the library to host of number of Writers' Week events next year and Fringe shows in years to come.

A history centre will help visitors explore the city archives and their family trees.

And yes, there will also be books.

The library is already winning awards three months out from its opening.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Australia has given it an Excellence In Design award for innovative use of responsibly sourced timber products in its shelf joinery, ceiling and furniture.

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