Donetsk: a Ukrainian Magdeburg in Terms of Library Resources

In the next two years an Information and Library Center will be constructed at Donetsk National Technical University, which will increase the university library’s total area and enlarge its fonds. The new building will feature eight public reading rooms seating 550. Among them will be a rare books room, electronic catalog hall, and foreign literature room. The latter will be equipped with audio and video equipment. The project also envisages three computer classes seating 150 and literary salons for the creative young people and intelligentsia of Donetsk. A special feature of the new center will be a media library containing documents on various electronic media. The media library will be equipped with cubicles for students, professors, and residents of Donetsk. The only center similar to this is the one at the University of Magdeburg (Germany), whose experience was used in the design of the media center at Donetsk National Technical University. The design and construction of this unique center is scheduled for 2004-2006, and UAH 20 million have been earmarked in the state budget for this purpose, reports Anna KHRYPUNKOVA from Donetsk.