The Lib Dem Council is set to ask the government to approve plans to spend almost £50 million transforming the Victorian building into a 21st century library.

The scheme will see the radical remodeling of the Central Library, which will double the amount of space for displaying books for reading, studying and leisure. Around 300,000 books will be on show at any one time, taken from a pool of one million which will be frequently rotated.

The new look library will also include a stunning new entrance, an archive centre and space for 250 public computers.

Lib Dem Council leader Warren Bradley, said: "The Central Library is one of the oldest and best used public libraries in Britain, with well over half a million visitors every year.

"This project will enable us to transform it into one of the best libraries in the country while at the same time ensuring it's preserved for future generations.

"It will just be one part of the fantastic legacy for the city after Capital of Culture 2008, and a first class facility where people both young and old can come and learn."

On Friday, February 17, the Executive Board will be asked to approve the submission of an Outline Business Case to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to secure £47.9 million of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits.

The Picton, Hornby and Oak reading rooms will be restored to their former glory, and more of Liverpool's fabulous rare book and archive collection will be put on display.

"The current building is magnificent but is in urgent need of restoration. Developments over the last century have left a building that is confusing to find your way around and has inadequate visitor facilities.

"The new Central Library will make the reading experience exciting and stimulating, incorporating the best practice from other public library developments and the retail book trade in its design and layout."

Once completed, the Central Library will become one of the key buildings in the city's World Heritage site, with customer numbers expected to rise from 600,000 to over 1 million a year.

A Europe-wide search for a partner to carry out the work is expected to start in April, with a preferred bidder being selected by the end of the year.

It is anticipated the building will be closed for 2 years while construction work takes place.

Alternative sites for storage of the extensive collections along with library provision in the city centre will be incorporated into the project plan.

The new Central Library will include:

• . An impressive but welcoming entrance clearly visible from surrounding areas
• . A new children's interactive zone and library
• . A showcase for over a million books
• . New exhibition areas for rare books and archives
• . Flexible learning, teaching and performance spaces
• . A high speed gateway for electronic information and services
• . Scope to explore Liverpool's unique history
• . High quality visitor facilities
• . Archive and special collection storage which meets national standards
• . Opening up heritage areas for public access
• . Visitor centre with coffee bar
• . New staff areas
• . High quality design

DID YOU KNOW?

. The Central Library collection includes letters from Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Disraeli, Gladstone, Florence Nightingale and George Stephenson
. The foundation stone for Central Library was laid in 1852 and it was one of the first in the country
. Former staff include writer Ramsey Campbell and former Coronation Street star Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden)
. People of every age use Central Library - with members as young as 7 months and as old as 101 years!
. Almost half of Liverpool's libraries have been refurbished or replaced in the last 5 years