High-tech library unveiled

(Photograph) - The University of Abertay Dundee is building an Pounds 8 million library which will almost treble its existing space while significantly reducing the proportion available for books.

When the building is completed in two years, UAD says it will be the most technologically advanced university library in Scotland. More than 100,000 books and journals will be transferred into it but only 25 per cent of the space will be occupied by shelving, compared with 50 per cent in traditional libraries.

The library has been planned to allow for a far greater growth in electronic information storage than printed material. It also builds on SHEFC's academic superhighway scheme of Metropolitan Area Networks, which has linked UAD with other higher education institutions in the area.

All the library's 700 study places will be able to be connected to UAD's computer network, and facilities will include a self-access language learning centre, networked multimedia workstations, and a 24-hour study area.

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council gave UAD Pounds 3.8 million for the project on condition that the university contributed a matching amount.