Limerick libraries lose funding

 By Suzanne Cooper

Plans to build brand new state-of-the art libraries at the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) and the University of Limerick (UL) have been scrapped due recent Government cutbacks.

The Government made the decision not to include these projects in its Infrastructure and Capitals Investment programme, even though it had previously planned to.

The projects consisted of a major extension to the existing Glucksman Library at UL and the construction of a three-story 4,600-square metre complex at LIT.

Several million euros were to be spent on these new construction projects and both libraries were scheduled to open in 2013. The proposed improvements to the library resources at these colleges will be missed by both students and staff at LIT and UL.

The president of the Limerick Institute of Technology, Dr Maria Hinefelaar, has expressed her disappointment at the Government’s decision to withdraw the funding for the library construction.

“It is a major blow for LIT that this new state of the art library and information resource centre will not now be built, which was badly needed. We will need to rethink our campus master plan over the coming months to review how we can best deliver our ambitions and objectives and provide such services to learners.”

Current and future students at both the Limerick Institute of Technology and the University of Limerick will feel the repercussions of the Government’s decision as they will not have these state of the art resources with which to carry out their studies.

Barry Maher, the Students’ Union President at the Limerick Institute of Technology, feels that the Government’s latest decision to cut the funding for the libraries will have a negative impact on the students, “Students will be extremely annoyed with this, especially students in their final year that need the library resources more so. It will result in students having to study elsewhere.”

It is apparent that the much needed library constructions at both colleges were of vital importance and the Government’s forgoing of the project may not only have negative effects on the current students, but on the students in years to come.