The Halifax Central Library opened its doors to the public on Dec. 13, 2014.Andrew B. Conrad
The new Halifax Central Library officially opened its doors to the public today.
At an estimated cost of $57.6 million the building has been touted as the new architectural centrepiece of the city's downtown core.
The 129,00 square foot facility features a larger collection of books than the building it is replacing, as well as meeting and study rooms, technology areas for computers, cafes and a 300-seat auditorium.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage calls the building, which features a cantilevered rectangular glass box on the top, a "powerful and positive statement" about the city's aspirations.
Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen designed the building with Halifax partners Fowler Bauld & Mitchell.
The federal government is contributing up to $18.3 million and the Nova Scotia government $13 million towards the cost of the project, with the remainder being funded through the municipality and a public funding campaign.