THE process of returning nearly four million individual items to Liverpool’s flagship Central Library is under way ahead of its re-opening later this year.

The £50m refurbishment is now almost complete and the building has been handed back to the city council.

The items are being returned from a number of different locations where they have been stored while the two-year restoration on William Brown Street was carried out.

They range from books and DVDs through to rare archives and the city’s original 1207 King John Charter.

The refurbishment has included fully restoring such well-loved features as the Picton Reading Room, as well as opening the Hornby and Oak Rooms to the public for the first time. The former International Library has been converted into a childrens’ area called Discover.

The rest of the library has been completely re-built to create a dramatic new entrance on William Brown Street, along with a new roof terrace.

Head of libraries Joyce Little said: “We wanted that ‘wow factor’ when people came in through the door, whether it’s to read, use the computers, find information or to meet and socialise.

“There is also a new service for those using the Liverpool Record Office or archive, and a new repository to house the treasures of the city.”

The library officially re-opens to the public on Friday, May 17. It will operate seven days a week and have extended opening hours.