One hundred and fifty construction jobs are to be created with the building of a new university library at Maynooth, the Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has announced.

The state-of-the-art facility, due to be completed by 2011, will employ a further 20 people to run the library.

Mr O'Keeffe said the development had been prompted by the surge in undergraduates at NUI Maynooth.

Costing around €20m, the new facility will be double the size of the current library and provide space for 1,200 students.

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"The need for this extension reflects the increased and growing student numbers attending the university," said Minister O'Keeffe.

The eventual architects will reportedly be asked to design a signature building that will become a campus focal point.

It is expected planning permission will be lodged early next year.

The building will be fitted with the latest modern technology, including full Wi-Fi access, 500 IT areas and an extensive catalogue of book and DVDs.

University President John Hughes welcomed the proposals.

"As Ireland’s fastest growing university, this library extension will provide our students with an even more modern learning environment to develop their skills and knowledge," he said.

Construction is expected to begin by December next year.

(PR)