The construction of the library began about 1.5 years ago. The work will be completed soon and some premises have already been put into commission.
"The building already has central heating. Library shelves and depositories are being currently equipped. The ventilation and air conditioning systems are being adjusted. After that, the building will be examined by the state commission," Mikhail Balakin, head of the department of operative control and coordination of Moscow's city-planning programs, reported.
On his part, MGU rector Viktor Sadovnichy said that the new cultural-intellectual center would contain an assembly hall, the hall of the academic council, conference halls (including a transformable one) and the MGU history museum.
"Moreover, each reader will be able to work on the Internet," the rector noted.
The library will seat 1,600 readers.
This will be a public library open for everyone wishing to work with books and information, the rector of Russia's main university emphasized.
"The National Library in Paris can rival it in its beauty. However, the Paris library was built by the nation on the whole and our library was sponsored by some Moscow building companies," Mr. Sadovnichy noted.
According to him, the MGU fundamental library occupies 130 hectares. Academic buildings, laboratories and dwelling-houses for MGU teachers will be constructed in the vicinity.
Viktor Sadovnichy believes that the new complex will be a pearl of Moscow architecture.
