ALEXANDRIA Engineers are putting the final touches to a building that will host the Library of Alexandria or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, as the ancient library was known before its destruction some 1,600 years ago.

Once completed, officials expect the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, located on the shores of the Mediterranean in Alexandria, to echo its predecessor in spirit if not form.

Owing to its location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, it is hoped that in addition to its role as an important institution of learning and research, the library will act as a meeting point for different cultures and civilizations.

Egyptians also expect the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to serve as the world's window on Egypt and vice versa, to connect Egypt digitally with the rest of the world and, act as a center for dialogue between peoples, cultures and civilizations.

"The Library of Alexandria must become a vibrant center of intellectual debate, a place for dialogue and discussion of science, art and culture, and a center for interaction between the North and South," said Chairperson of the Library's Council of Patrons and Board of Trustees, Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak.

In fact, this particular aspect of the library will be reflected in its activities, expected to include conferences, lectures and exhibitions, said officials, who expect the center to attract individuals, including artists and scientists from the world over.

At its peak, the old library, established by the Ptolemies nearly 2,300 years ago, had amassed upwards of half a million scrolls and was a favorite destination for some of the most preeminent scholars and scientists of the time.

Frequently referred to as the world's first research institution the old library's complex included a museum and an academy and it was here that the foundations of library science was believed to have been laid.

Much has been made of the new library's unique design -- a huge tilted solar disc facing the Mediterranean -- and engineers involved say was one of the most challenging projects they had ever tackled.

The structure boasts granite cladding adorned with "all letters of all the known alphabets around it, but no words," said Ismail Serag Eddin, the library's new director and former World Bank vice president.

One third of the structure lies underground, explained Mamdouh Hamza, whose firm, Hamza Associates was selected from among 540 bidders representing some 70 countries, to design the library complex.

The library's main hall, described by Serag Eddin as the "largest reading hall in the world," features a slanted roof interrupted by glass windows and "brows" designed to prevent the penetration of direct sunlight into the hall.

In other words, said Serag Eddin, the room receives "excellent daylight, but no sunlight."

Officials said construction of the library cost an estimated 200 million dollars -- donated mainly by Arab and foreign countries -- and concede that more money will be needed in order to finance its day-to-day operation.

But according to Serag Eddin, that should not be a problem considering Egypt's commitment and international interest, particularly that of the UN agency UNESCO, in the project.

He said the library's operation will be financed primarily by the Egyptian government, although financial and material donations from "friends of the library" would also be accepted.

Besides, it is hoped that the library will be able to generate a modest income through the use of its facilities such as the conference centers and other income-generating projects.

Foreign funds for the library, however, hinges on how efficiency the institution is managed, according to Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mofied Shehab.

In order to ensure this, said Shehab, Parliament passed legislation placing the institution under the direct authority of the president, a move expected to guarantee its independence from any bureaucratic constraints.

The passing by Parliament in March of a law governing the activities of the library was quickly followed by a number of relevant presidential decrees.

Decree 76 for instance, was issued to define the library's management structure, which consists of a council of patrons, board of trustees and director.

Then the president issued decree 84 appointing the Fist Lady as chairperson of both the Council of Patrons and the Board of Trustees.

Numerous prominent international figures are expected to be appointed to the council of patrons, including the president of France and the queen of Spain.

Similarly, the library's Board of Trustees would include over two dozen international personalities such as Italy's Umberto Eco, Germany's Hans-Peter Geh, president of the European Foundation for Library Cooperation, and Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

If all goes as planned, the library will be officially inaugurated next April 23, although a "soft opening" has been arranged for this October, DPA said.