City of Phoenix and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.

View of damaged roof at Burton Barr Library in Phoenix.

(Photo courtesy of Phoenix Fire Department)

About 6,000 books from the 500,000 book collection were permanently water damaged.

Phoenix is adjusting to the year-long closure of its main downtown library by extending hours at nearby branches. 

Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., suffered extensive water damage this summer when a monsoon storm lifted the roof causing a pipe to break and flood the building.

Phoenix City Council recently approved a $2.5 million contract with a construction company to help restore the library's first four floors. That will include replacing carpet, drywall, doors and interior ceilings. The project is expected to take eight months.

In the meantime, Phoenix Public Library is adding Sunday hours to four locations closest to Burton Barr.

Century, Harmon, Ocotillo and Yucca libraries will be open 1-5 p.m. starting Sunday, Sept. 10.