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As the Stanley A. Milner Library prepares to close Dec. 31 for at least three years during major renovations, the city has given patrons a chance to see if it will be worth the wait.

New renderings show a spacious interior full of natural light and a sleek, jagged exterior that will replace the current building. The $62.5-million facelift will result in an interior space ringed by large windows. Floor plans show two large open areas on the second and third floors with balconies that look down to the ground floor.

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Edmonton

Construction is expected to begin in early 2017 with completion in 2020. In the meantime, the library will be temporarily housed in the University of Alberta’s Enterprise Square building. Most of the downtown collection will be moved to other branches, but during the renovations, the city will have to do without community rooms and theatres that were in the building.

The library considered working around the construction but, in an effort to save money and keep employees away from asbestos, a temporary home was chosen.

Of the $62.5-million price tag, $52.5 million was paid by the city and $10 million came from community fundraising. About one million people visit the library each year.

sxthomson@postmedia.com

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