Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News

Media Credit: citynoise.org Robarts building at Harbord & St. George

The towering turkey-like concrete structure dominating the corner of St. George and Harbord is about to gain a new wing; after thirty-five years, Robarts Library is planning a 75 million dollar upgrade to enhance study spaces, wireless activity options, and sitting areas.

Robarts already holds an impressive reputation nationwide, as well as across the States. Since its opening in 1973, Robarts has been ranked the third-largest academic research library in North America, directly behind Harvard and Yale University.

The Toronto Star reported that the recent increase in university enrollment due to the double-cohort of 2003 boosted student traffic in libraries, producing worries of limited study space, particularly during exam time.

At the end of February 2008, the Ontario provincial government announced a $15 million grant towards the start-up of the Robarts upgrade project.

The upgrade is to include the improvement of 1,000 study spaces in the existing building, the creation of a few new study spaces also in the existing building, 1,000 new individual and group study spaces in a new wing, and the removal of the concrete walls on the upper floors in order for sunlight to come into the area.

Furthermore, as reported by the Star, the upgrade is also to include a large outdoor amphitheatre-like seating area to be used for the purposes of a student lounge.

A news release provided by the Ontario government, John Milloy (Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities), reported the additional creation of new reading rooms and the improvement of wireless Internet connections within the building.

Such upgrades have long been anticipated by many students. Increased enrollment has made a noticeable impact on students.

The McGuinty government justifies this grant as investing in Ontario's future economy, since it will be increasingly knowledge-based.

Despite government's "generosity," the Robarts expansion has produced mixed feelings among other U of T students studying in a variety of programs. For many, skepticism arises particularly with the issue of whether the Ontario grant should have been used to the purposes of a library expansion, or whether other uses would have been more beneficial.

While Rangarej supported the expansion, Political Science student Yiu Man Wu adamantly opposes it. "It's great we received money, but it's for the wrong reason," Wu points out. "It should be to decrease tuition fees for students.

Continued...

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