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The fire that tore through the basement of the University of New Mexico's Zimmerman Library caused nearly $17 million in damage, the school says.

Most of the library has reopened since the fire broke out in the basement on April 30, 2006. The blaze burned more than 13 racks of bound journals and left smoke and soot damage throughout the library.

The entire 257,000-square-foot building has been cleaned, and the first floor above where the fire broke out was redesigned and rebuilt.

University officials say replacing burned and damaged books and journals will cost $4.5 million. Not everything is replaceable, and some journals will be electronic versions, rather than print.

The school will spend another $6.5 million to rebuild the basement, and replace carpet, furniture and bookshelves. Reconstruction is expected to begin in June and open in time for the 2008 spring semester.

UNM said it will cost $5.5 million to remove burned material, clean damaged books, and store books and furniture while the area is rebuilt.

A fire suppression system in other parts of the library where it was not required before will cost $1.2 million.