The new Alexandria Library, or Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is rising on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria, Egypt. The strikingly beautiful modern building designed by Snohetta, a.s. of Oslo, Norway, will house an important cultural focal point and public research institution for the advancement of Knowledge, which will propel the social and economic development of Egypt and the surrounding region. Phase two (superstructures and finishings) of the contruction of the Library is now well underway and approximately 80% of this $ 172 million project has now been completed. The Library Building is scheduled to be finished in mid-1999, with the official inauguration in the Autumn of this year. Specially designed furniture by Snohetta, a gift of the Norwegian Government will be installed in the front Areas of the Library. The following photo shows how the Library will look within a few months.   Bibliotheca Alexandrina Website