UI starts construction of RI’s biggest library

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 06/01/2009 3:33 PM  |  National

The University of Indonesia (UI) begins Monday the construction of its new library, claimed to be one of “the biggest and most modern” libraries in the world when completed.

The eight-story library, which will be built on two and a half hectares of land, is designed to house a collection of more than three million books and facilitate up to 20,000 daily visitors. It will use solar energy to provide some of its electricity needs.   

UI rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri said he expected the new library to bring the university a step closer to being a world-class university.  

“We hope the modern library will help the University of Indonesia to become one of Asia’s 30 and world’s 200 best universities by next year,” Gumilar said in a ceremony to kick off the library construction.  

The construction of the building, which will cost around Rp 100 billion (US$9.8 million), is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The 2008 Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings has put UI as the 287th best university in the world and 50th in Asia. (hwa)

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