Works on a planned upgrade and expansion have been paused at the Ballarat Library ahead of this month's council meeting to allow councillors to consider four different options.

The option recommended by council officers would see the budget for the works at the Doveton Street library inflate to almost $7 million - $4.596 million above the $2.4 million figure originally set aside.

It is the latest, and potentially one of the biggest, in a series of budget overruns for the City of Ballarat, which include the Bridge Mall rejuvenation, Civic Hall, and Gatekeepers Cottage among others.

Evan King, who started as the chief executive officer for the City of Ballarat in February, has said that instilling tighter project management was one of his priorities in the role.

The library was due to expand upstairs and the entrance shifted to face the GovHub and Civic Hall.

Among extra works proposed that were not identified in the previous scope are a mechanical upgrade of services, a new roof, and upgrades for the lift, as well as electrical and fire service.

Change of use costs and an allowance for an automated building management system are also among the recommended extra works.

Councillors will vote on the motion this Wednesday evening at town hall.

Three other possibilities have also been put forward with lower costs, ranging from an additional $1.1 million to an extra $3.4 million.

The lowest cost option would only address a mechanical upgrade, with the library layout remaining largely unchanged rather than having ground and first floor renovations.Under this option, officers say the community "would not gain any visible benefit" but the operation of the library would become more cost efficient.

None of the three lower cost options are recommended by council officers.

Whichever is taken, it looks inevitable the City of Ballarat will have to spend much more than the original funding scoped for the upgrade.

Council officers indicate there is no alternative: "There is no option not to do anything as existing mechanical issues must be addressed, the replacement of the roof will trigger many of these mechanical upgrades."

The report, contained in the agenda for the forthcoming council meeting, explains how the original costing came about through a quantity survey report "based on the planned renovation, IT upgrade, furniture fit out, contingencies and other associated costs".

"The... report estimated the cost of the renovation works, but was not expected to look at the current state of the building or the mechanical and other upgrades.

"However, it has since been determined that the proposed works have triggered upgrades to the mechanical equipment, electrical systems, fire services, change of use upgrades, roof replacement, and lift upgrade."

The report suggests the increased budget was needed to complete works "to achieve the intended outcomes of the project for the community".

Noting the likely rise in the project budget, it continues: "Therefore the project has been paused to allow Council to consider the financial impact of the change to scope, and options for progressing the project which are presented in this report."

So far, the document suggests approximately $240,000 has already been spent in the design process.

Two of the options presented in the council report refer to "negative publicity" likely due to the spiralling costs of the project.

The budget of 2019/20 included $1.9 million over two years for the library, combined with a $500,000 grant from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

Sydney-based architects Studio Hollenstein were chosen - not without some controversy - to design the changes last year.

The car parking shortage is also raised, with the report saying council officers were working on a solution for Market Street next to the library. A separate report is due to be presented on the issue at a future council meeting.

The current library was opened in 1994. Pre-Covid, it was attracting around 1,600 visitors per day, with the upgrade expected to allow numbers to increase by 30 per cent.

Last week, the City of Ballarat advertised for a consultant team to "review, design and implement an organisational wide project management office".

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.