Project to earthquake strengthen and refurbish the library and two classrooms at Waitaki Girls' High School is nearing completion.
A start was made this week on putting books into Waitaki Girls' High School's new state-of-the-art library.
An official opening of the refurbished building is to be held in September.
The project had taken three years to see through but principal Tracy Walker said it had been worth the wait.
''Like all great plans, it took time, [and] finally we can break out into our new learning space. It's going to be great,'' Ms Walker said.
While remaining true to ''three Rs'' - reading, research and reference - the new library was a more modern learning environment, Ms Walker said.
''It's not your traditional library setting,'' she said.
''It's more of an open space with some little breakout areas. There's room there for team teaching, there's room there for students to break out and do planning or video conferencing.''
For the past three years, the school has had a temporary library set up in a classroom.
That came about after the board of trustees decided to move food and textiles classes into the old library, so these would be closer to the digital technology suites and the art room.
The school's A block was then to become the new library, but required earthquake strengthening and refurbishing.
The PTA and student council raised money to go towards the project and the old girls' association had also made a generous donation.
It had been an ''exiting opportunity'' to move towards a more digital way of learning, Ms Walker said.
Upstairs there are two new, modern classrooms, which will be used for languages - German, Japanese and Mandarin - and performing arts.
Waitaki Girls' High School is also about to launch an across-campus wireless network.
The refurbished building, named ''Whare Mataranga - House of Knowledge'', will be officially opened on September 3.
Stage two of the project will be to refurbish the southern end of the block. It is likely to get under way next year.
