Wellington's central library will be saved.

The city council has just voted to strengthen the existing building, rather than demolish it.

The original cost to complete the work was estimated at $200 million, but that's been revised down to $179 million.

Public consultation revealed residents preferred knocking the building down and rebuilding.

But Mayor Andy Foster says restoring the existing library is the right choice for Wellington.

“It will meet the needs of the community and have a longer lifespan than anticipated It is a vote of confidence by the council in the city of Wellington.”

The council received more than 1400 public submissions on the issue, with a rebuild receiving the most support, followed closely by the expensive strengthening.