[vlehto]

...and at what price?

In 2008 you could get 5 star luxury hotel with average price of 2600$/square meter. Seattle Central library costed 4922$/square meter. Even airport terminals and hospitals are usually cheaper.

It's true you can't justify that with "holds books nicely". But "has empty space to accommodate people" is neither sufficient. Building empty space with heating and air condition is not that difficult. But I don't think there is anything unusual about it given that it's public building paid by tax money.

http://tinyurl.com/hv78vd2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Central_Library