A new roof is to be built on the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art to protect it from the winter elements.

The west end of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building, partially destroyed by a huge fire in May, is now covered in scaffolding.

The building suffered serious fire and water damage, but the good summer weather has helped it dry out and a new roof will be added shortly.

Earlier this week The Herald reported a quarter of the most vital books from the library collections destroyed in the fire had been replaced by inter­national and national donors.

A spokeswoman said: "We will build the roof very soon to protect the building from the elements.

"It has been open to allow the building to dry out, but the seasons are changing and we will shortly construct a roof to protect the building.

"It is not temporary in the sense of it being a taupaulin, it will be the roof until the final replacement roof is put in place."

There has been a debate over what should be done to replace the Mackintosh Library.

David Mullane, a former director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, who chairs the Friends Of The GSA organisation, recently said a rebuilt version of the library, in the west of the building, could be an "embarrassment" and a prime example of "Mockintosh".

The Art School is to hold a symposium on the question of how to replace the library but Mr Mullane believes Mackintosh's original cannot be "effectively replicated".

A debate on what should happen to the library is to be held by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society on September 25 at the Mackintosh-designed Queen's Cross Church in Glasgow.

The Art School intends to "restore and rebuild the Mackintosh Building, including the iconic library, and to rebuild well".

The school has published a "wants list" online, to replace the volumes and books that are in high demand.

A statement from the Art School said: "The rebuilding of the collections could take many years, but we intend to pursue a targeted rebuild, reflecting both the illustrious history and future direction of the institution."

Both the UK Government and the Scottish Government have pledged £5million to the GSA appeal. Hollywood star Brad Pitt and Dr Who actor Peter Capaldi are leading efforts to raise the £20m needed.