Edmonton's downtown Stanley Milner library will close its doors for up to three years to speed up construction work and save millions of dollars on a major retrofit.

The library, which attracts one million visitors every year, will reopen in a temporary location a few blocks away in Enterprise Square once work begins early in 2017.

"We had debated whether to occupy the building during construction," said CEO Pilar Martinez.

She said the decision to relocate was made for a number of reasons. Closing the building will mean substantial cost savings on the $62.5-million project, and will speed up construction timelines.

"Those were considerations, along with safety and access," Martinez said. "And given the LRT construction that's happening at the same time, it would have been really challenging."

The Stanley Milner library, which opened in 1967, is getting $62.5-million in renovations, including mechanical and electrical upgrades. (Gareth Hampshire)

The library, built in 1967, is getting a futuristic looking exterior as well as an overhaul inside.

Martinez said mechanical and electrical upgrades are badly needed as well.

The library raised $10 million for the project, and the remaining $52 million will come from the city.

Coun. Ben Henderson, a library board trustee, said it's all work that is needed and the timing makes sense.

"It's way better to be in a temporary space than in the Milner building, which will be in a state of chaos during construction," said Henderson.

The temporary space, on Jasper Avenue at 102nd Street, used to be occupied by City TV, and Henderson said its high profile will be a major bonus.

Martinez said the library will continue to offer all of its services in the temporary location, albeit on a smaller scale.

She said renovations on the Milner building aren't expected to be completed until 2020, but will create a spectacular experience for library users.

Artist rendering of the interior of the Stanley Milner library shows how the newly renovated building will take advantage of natural light (Stanley A. Milner library)

"The benefits will far outweigh the disruption that will occur over the next two and a half to three years," said Martinez.

The improvements will include an expanded children's area, a new interactive space and much more natural light inside the building.

Henderson said when the construction work is done and the building reopens it will be impressive.

"It will be a library Edmontonians can be proud of for the next 50 years," he said.