its closure after asbestos was discovered in the ceiling.

The asbestos -- which can cause cancer if breathed in -- was found in the ceiling of the north wing of the Queen Street building by electricians carrying out rewiring work.

But a spokesman for the library stressed that the building was still open to the public.

A date for the library's closure to remove the asbestos had not yet been decided, he said.

The removal work is expected to take some six weeks.

However, the spokesman added, the public will be given "ample notice of the closing as soon as plans are finalised''.