Temple of learning | Features

Balancing the books: how the Egyptian and British libraries compare
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt	British Library, London
Total floor area 85 400 m²	1 08 000 m2
Total capacity on site 4 million volumes (rising to 8 million by replacing shelving)	12.5 million volumes
Reader desks 2500 in one reading room	1206 in eleven reading rooms
Number of floors 11 floors, 4 underground	14 floors, 5 underground
Building completion spring 2001 (projected)	Nov-97
Development period 12 years (projected)	21 years
Completion overrun 1 year	4 years
Construction cost $212m projected (£149m)	£511m
Cost overrun $50m projected (£35m)	£61m
Architect Snøhetta	Colin St John Wilson & Partners
Contractors Rodio/Trevi/Arab Contractors, Balfour Beatty/Arab Contractors	Laing Management, Sir Robert McAlpine/Haden Young